Bocheonsa Temple (Gunsan)

This is a temple belonging to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located at the foot of Chuksung Mountain in Seosu-myeon. There are no remaining records of when it was founded, but it is said to have been built by Monk Hyegong in the 24th year of King Jinheung of Silla (602) and rebuilt by Monk Naong in 1352, the first year of King Gongmin of Goryeo. It is difficult to believe that a Silla monk came to Baekje during this period to build a temple. Considering that Monk Naong was in Yuan China in 1352, this is thought to be a legend. However, as many Goryeo-era roof tiles have been found in the fields around the temple, it is certain that the temple was in operation during the Goryeo period. The main hall of Bocheonsa Temple had outstanding architectural carvings, and in 1924, a Japanese person bought the site and took the building to Japan. It was revealed that Gwak Beop-gyeong, the abbot of Uibongsa Temple (the head temple of Bocheonsa), secretly sold the Bocheonsa building and Buddhist statues to a Japanese person. This incident, known as the "Buddha-selling incident," caused public outrage. Bocheonsa Temple was abandoned at this time, and the remaining fixtures were moved to Sungnimsa Temple. The current Bocheonsa Temple building was newly built on a hill next to the old Bocheonsa site in 1936 and was renovated in 1971.