Deoksansa Temple (Sancheong)

Deoksansa Temple is a temple exquisitely located at the confluence of Jangdang Valley and Naewon Valley in Daeport-ri, Samjang-myeon, Sancheong-gun. Its atmosphere changes with each season, adding charm, but it is especially beautiful in autumn when the maple trees in the yard of Daeungjeon Hall turn red, and its coziness makes it a place where one wishes to stay overnight. It is also impressive for its neat and serene atmosphere, reminiscent of the rear garden of a nobleman's house.<br /><br />Founded by National Preceptor Muyeom during the reign of King Muyeol of the Silla Dynasty, it was originally called Deoksansa Temple. However, it was completely destroyed by a fire of unknown cause and left abandoned until 1959, when it was rebuilt by Monk Wongyeong, reaching its present state. At that time, the temple's name was changed to Naewonsa, but it is now called Deoksansa again.<br /><br />If you climb the forest stairs along the valley on the Jangdang Valley side, you will face a modest temple on the opposite side of the Jangdang Valley stream. This is Banyagyo Bridge, which you must cross to enter the most beautiful part of Deoksansa Temple. 'Banya' means wisdom. It is said that on Banyagyo Bridge, one gains the wisdom to forget all worldly afflictions, and along with the clear sound of water heard everywhere in the temple, it creates the illusion of entering a heavenly world. Standing in the middle of Banyagyo Bridge, you can feel the cool energy of the valley, and on cloudy days, you can also enjoy the mysterious water mist rising from the valley.<br /><br />After crossing Banyagyo Bridge, you enter the temple grounds, which resemble a nobleman's rear garden, without any entrance gates like Iljumun or Burimun. The sound of the valley water gives the feeling that the temple is floating on water. Maple trees surround the front yard of Daeungjeon Hall, and around Daeungjeon Hall are Simudang Hall, Birojeon Hall, Sansingak Hall, Chilseonggak Hall, and monks' quarters, all uniformly small in scale. There are the Seoknamam Seated Stone Vairocana Buddha Statue enshrined in Birojeon Hall, designated as a treasure, and the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Deoksansa Temple, built during the Goryeo Dynasty. Looking at the front yard from the stairs in front of Daeungjeon Hall feels even more cozy. An interesting folk tale related to feng shui is handed down at Deoksansa Temple. The temple site was said to be a geomantically auspicious site, causing great congestion from visitors coming from all over the country, which greatly hindered meditation. The abbot worried about this, and an old monk said, 'If you build a road to the base of the southern peak and build a bridge over the stream flowing in front, it will be resolved,' and then suddenly disappeared.<br /><br />The next day, all the monks were mobilized to build a log bridge over the stream and a road to the base of the peak. While they were all resting, a cat's cry was heard three times. Those who found it strange wondered what omen it was. Later, it was explained through feng shui that the peak in front was the cat's vein, and the peak behind the temple was the mouse's vein. By building the road and bridge here, the cat could catch the mouse. After this incident, the number of visitors gradually decreased, allowing the monks to meditate quietly, but the temple was completely burned down by a fire of unknown cause.<br /><br />When the temple was burning, three strong monks living there drew water from the stream with a large log to put out the fire, but strangely, the water poured from the left fell into the right stream, the water poured from the right fell into the left stream, and the water poured from the front fell onto the rear mountain peak. Eventually, they could not control the flames, and the temple was completely destroyed.