Bohyeonsa Temple (Cheongju)

Bohyeonsa Temple (普賢寺) in Cheongju is a traditional temple (No. 78) belonging to the Korean Buddhist Taego Order, located at 190-37 Uamsan-ro, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (San 25). Bohyeonsa is the only spot along the Uamsan hiking trail where one can climb while accompanied by the sound of a valley stream, attracting many visitors day and night. The temple began in 1950 when Monk Kim Cheon-un (Hyedeuk) built a hermitage on the current site as a prayer place and started Buddhist construction. After receiving a dream of the Buddha descending on the site of the current main hall, he built the hall. During the reconstruction of the main hall, several roof tiles were excavated and identified by experts as being from the late Goryeo Dynasty, about 700 years ago.<br /><br />According to ancient records, several temples existed on the mid-slope of Wausan (Uamsan) but were destroyed during the Imjin War. At the nearby Gwaneumsa temple site, roof tiles inscribed with 'Gyehyangjisa' (桂香之寺) were excavated. According to one theory, a temple called Eungjeoksa once stood on the site of Bohyeonsa, so the current Bohyeonsa should be seen as a reconstruction of Eungjeoksa from over 700 years ago. Although the temple was named Bohyeonsa according to the will of its founder, Monk Hyedeuk, considering the Buddhist tradition of inheriting the origins of ancient temples, Bohyeonsa is regarded as the successor of Eungjeoksa, inheriting a history of over 700 years. It has continuously developed as a sanctuary for the mind and body not only for Buddhists but also for the 850,000 citizens of Cheongju.