The Origin of Sinheungsa

[Curator]

Sitting quietly in the midst of the mystical energy and breathtaking scenery of Mount Soraksan, the history of this ancient, traditional temple goes back to the time of the Silla Kingdom. The original buildings, built in 652, had been destroyed by fire. However, the only surviving structure, a nine-story pagoda called Hyangseongsatap, tells the old story.

When Hyangseongsa Temple, which is the old name for the temple, was destroyed, Great Master Uisang rebuilt it at the site of the hermitage Naewonam, and renamed it Seonjeongsa. After that, it enjoyed prosperity for a thousand years, but it was burned to the ground in 1642, in the 20th year of the 16th King Injo's reign during the Joseon Dynasty. It was rebuilt in 1644. As nothing was left standing, all monks left but three. These venerables were terribly saddened that their historic temple had become nothing but ruins, and decided to rebuild the temple once again. So, every day, they prayed and worked toward rebuilding the temple. Then, one day, they all had the same dream: a silver-haired god appeared pointing at the current Sinheungsa site and said, “If you build a temple here, there will be no damage from the three major disasters of fire, flood, or storms for ten thousand years.” Afterwards, he disappeared into thin air. That’s how Sinheungsa came to be built upon this site.

[Visitor]

This place seems to be full of historical significance.