Seokwangsa Temple (Gyeonggi)

Seokwangsa Temple is a direct-control temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located on Mount Boun in Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. Advocating 'right Buddhism, practical Buddhism,' it has been active as a missionary temple in the city center with various activities despite its short history. Founded in 1976 by Ven. Gosan, former head of the Jogye Order, starting with a tent dharma meeting, Seokwangsa grew into a representative urban missionary center in the Seoul metropolitan area with registered households reaching 15,000 within about 20 years. However, Seokwangsa draws attention not only for its scale but also for its diverse attempts to closely engage with the local community, including a daycare center, kindergarten, senior citizen feasts, cultural events, and publishing. It published the 'Seokwangsa Bulletin,' effectively pioneering the first document-based missionary work in modern Korean Buddhism, and achieved milestones in Buddhist community movements and social democratization through activities such as children's missionary work centered on the kindergarten and daycare center, establishment and operation of a consumer cooperative, publication of the Bucheon Citizens' Newspaper, and establishment and operation of the Bucheon Foreign Workers' House. Notably, in the 1980s, Seokwangsa was known as a regular gathering place for democratization and labor activists, earning a reputation as a sacred site of democratization in Bucheon. The temple features an Iljumun (one-pillar gate), a main dharma hall, an octagonal nine-story pagoda, and a bell pavilion, but its atmosphere differs from typical temples. It houses a consumer cooperative, Beautiful Store, free clinic, Lumbini swimming pool, daycare center, kindergarten, Wangsaeng Geungnakjeon (funeral hall), and Anrak Jeongto (columbarium). Trucks loaded with goods come and go to the cooperative and Beautiful Store, while a group of children chatter at the daycare center below. Additionally, at the funeral hall and Myeongbujeon (Judgment Hall), bereaved families in black mourning clothes may be seen pacing with somber expressions.