Meeting Buddhas Compassion on the Slopes of Palgongsan | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Bulgulsa Temple is located on the southern foothills of Palgongsan and is a branch temple of Eunhaesa, the head temple of the 10th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Its name comes from enshrining Buddha inside a natural stone cave. It was founded in the 10th year of King Sinmun of Silla (690). At its peak, it was a large temple complex with over 50 buildings, 12 subsidiary hermitages, and 8 water mills, but was washed away by a flood in the 12th year of King Yeongjo of Joseon (1739). Later, it was rebuilt by a monk from Songgwangsa in Jeolla-do. Within the grounds are a three-story stone pagoda designated as a treasure, Jeokmyeolbogung housing Buddha's relics, and a Yaksa Medicine Buddha standing stone pagoda. Passing through the monks’ dining hall and climbing 108 steps for about 10 minutes leads to a cave called Wonhyogul or Hongjuam, where Monk Wonhyo is said to have practiced asceticism. The spring inside the cave dates back to the Silla period and bears the inscription 'Adongjeil Yaksoo' (the best medicinal water in Adong). According to legend, this spring water, also called Janggun-su, was where General Kim Yusin drank while praying for the unification of the Three Kingdoms. Uniquely, when there is a rainy season near Bulgulsa, sweat appears on the Buddha statue’s face, and before heavy rain, the statue’s entire body becomes soaked.

Wonhyoam is a temple said to have been founded by Wonhyo Daesa (617–686) of the Unified Silla period. It is a branch temple of Eunhaesa, the head temple of the 10th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located on the slopes of Palgongsan in Wachon-myeon, Gyeongsan-si. Behind Wonhyoam is a spring that produces cold water throughout the year, so it is also called Naengcheonsa. If you follow the mountain path north behind Wonhyoam, you will find the seated Buddha carved in stone at Gyeongsan Wonhyoam, designated as a tangible cultural property of Gyeongsangbuk-do. In 1980, the main Buddha hall (Daeungjeon) and Samsingak were constructed. After a large fire in 1986, the Geungnakjeon and Sanryeonggak were rebuilt. In 2016, a ceremony was held in Geungnakjeon, which enshrined only the Amitabha Buddha statue, to install the Amitabha Samjonbul including accompanying statues of Gwanseum Bosal and Daeseji Bosal as guardian bodhisattvas.

팔공산 주변에서 '호박전으로 유명한 곳!' 하면 바로 이곳이다. 노릇노릇하게 구워져 나온 따근한 호박전 한 입 꿀꺽 한 뒤 맛보는 촌두부와 미나리무침의 향연. 먹어본 사람은 안다. * 문의/안내 : 053-852-5566

Seonbonsa Temple is a directly managed temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located below Gwanbong of Palgongsan in Daehan-ri, Wachon-myeon, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. This place is more widely known by the name 'Palgongsan Gatbawi Buddha' rather than the temple's name. Therefore, the Gatbawi Buddha to the east of the temple attracts continuous worshippers despite the steep mountain terrain. Seonbonsa Temple is situated on a cozy mountain slope of Palgongsan overlooking the Gatbawi Buddha. Although many mountains and rivers across Korea have long been Buddhist sacred sites, Palgongsan holds an especially significant position in the early history of Korean Buddhism. Additionally, Seonbonsa offers one-day, rest-type, and experience-type temple stay programs.

Palgongsan is a mountain with an elevation of 1,192 meters that spans Daegu Dong-gu, Gunwi-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsan-si, Yeongcheon-si, and Chilgok-gun. Designated as a provincial park in May 1980, it was elevated to a national park in 2023, becoming the 23rd national park in South Korea. Palgongsan is highly regarded for its natural ecosystem, scenic beauty, and cultural landscapes. It is home to 5,296 species of wildlife, including 15 endangered species such as the red bat, hawk, and otter. Natural scenic resources include 39 mountain peaks, 10 unique rock formations, and 19 valleys. The park also contains abundant cultural assets, including 30 nationally designated cultural properties, 61 provincially designated cultural properties, and 1 registered cultural asset. Palgongsan National Park Gatbawi Area is visited year-round and features a viewpoint in front of Gatbawi where visitors can see the mountain range of Palgongsan at a glance, with the Gwanbong Seokjo Yeorae Jwasang statue at the summit. This statue, believed to be the second most mysterious Buddha statue after Seokguram, was carved from a natural rock on Palgongsan peak by the monk Uihyeon during the Unified Silla period to pray for his deceased mother. The statue is called Gatbawi because it wears a natural stone shaped like a traditional Korean gat hat on its head. The rock on its head was not originally formed together but is said to have been carved with a lotus-patterned crown and placed there during the Goryeo Dynasty. There is a legend that sincerely praying to this statue will grant one wish, attracting many visitors.