Manyeonsa Temple (Hwasun)

Manyeonsa Temple, a branch temple of Songgwangsa Temple—the main temple of the 21st district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism—is said to have been founded in 1208 (the 4th year of King Huijong of Goryeo) by Seon Master Manyeon at the foot of Manyeonsan (Nahansan) Mountain. After completing his ascetic practices at Wonhyosa Temple on Mudeungsan Mountain, Seon Master Manyeon was returning to Songgwangsa Temple on Jogyesan Mountain. When he reached the middle of Manyeonsan Mountain, exhausted, he lay down to rest and fell asleep. In a dream, he saw the Sixteen Arhats (disciples entrusted by the Buddha) engaged in construction work (civil engineering or architecture) to enshrine Sakyamuni Buddha. Upon waking, he looked around and saw that snow had fallen, turning the surroundings completely white. Miraculously, only the area where the master had lain was free of snow, with steam rising from the ground. He immediately built a hermitage there, continued his practice, and later established Manyeonsa Temple.

Existing buildings include Daeungjeon (Main Hall), Nahanjeon (Arhat Hall), and Yosachae (monks' quarters). Subsidiary hermitages include Seonjeongam and Seongjuam. Artifacts include a triad of Buddha statues carved from a single juniper log, believed to be from the late Goryeo period, and a bronze bell that boasts a long history.