Hwangryeongsa Temple | Attraction Guide | K-Travel Mate

Hwangryeongsa Temple, a branch temple of Jikjisa, the head temple of the 8th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is located on the foothills of Chilbong Mountain. The exact founder and founding date of the temple are unknown. It is said that Uisang founded it in 638 (Silla Dynasty, King Seondeok's 7th year), and Daegu Hwasang rebuilt it in 889 (King Jinseong's 3rd year). According to the Samguk Sagi records, in 1254 (Goryeo Dynasty, King Gojong's 41st year), when Mongol general Chalade attacked Sangju Fortress (Baekhwasan Fortress), the monk Hongji led local troops and killed the fourth general of the enemy, causing the enemy to retreat after suffering heavy casualties, confirming the temple's existence during Goryeo. Also, when the Imjin War broke out in 1592, Hwangryeongsa was known as the birthplace of the uprising militia around Hamchang, continuing its spirit as a patriotic stronghold. During the Imjin War, buildings including the Daeungjeon, Cheonbuljeon, Nahanjeon, and Singeumdang were destroyed by fire. The temple was restored in 1901 and again in 1928 by Doheo, but was lost again in 1962. The current Singeumdang was rebuilt in 1966 by the chief monk Lee Sang-ho, and the Daeungjeon had roof tile repairs and dancheong painting done between 1976 and 1980. This reflects the temple's longstanding role as a patriotic temple protecting the nation since the Goryeo period. Among the statues is the Great World Bodhisattva, and among stone structures is the Byeokheodang Buddha stupa, which was moved from a nearby pond to the temple entrance. The Daeungjeon is a hipped-and-gabled roof building with three bays in front and two on the side, housing the Sakyamuni Buddha triad. The Amitabha Buddha altar painting and the Sinjung painting, designated as Gyeongsangbuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage, are currently kept at the Jikjisa Sacred Treasure Museum. These paintings are valuable materials for studying the influence of the Sanggyempa school of Gyeonggi-do's Hwa school in the Gyeongbuk region during the late Joseon period and provide insight into the temple's status in the 18th century.