Iljumun, the One Pillar Gate, and Geumgang Bridge of Woljeongsa

[Curator]

Founded by Precept Master Venerable Jajang (590-658) in 643, the road to the temple begins with the golden hanging signboard “Woljeong dae gharam (月精大伽籃)” at Iljumin or “One Pillar Gate.” Once you pass through the gate, beautiful, thousand-year-old fir trees greet you.

[Visitor]

Is there any story behind these fir trees?

[Curator]

Gangwon-do Province is known throughout the country for its pine trees. Originally, this place was also filled with many pine trees. According to the legend, during the late Goryeo Dynasty, Seon Master Venerable Naong (1320-1376) lived in the temple. He was the teacher of Venerable Muhak (1327-1405), one of the king’s advisors. Every day he prepared his daily offering of pureed soybean soup to the Buddha. One day, as he was carrying the soup, the wind blew, and some snow suddenly fell from a pine tree branch, causing the soup to spill.

He roared sternly, “You, pine tree! How dare you make me spill the offering of the Buddha? You are already deeply indebted, living on this mountain that enshrines the sacred relics of the Buddha!” Then, all of a sudden, a mountain god appeared and commanded, “You have committed a sin. You have lost your place on this mountain. From now on, you, the nine fir trees before me will flourish instead, as the hosts of this mountain.” Ever since, the pine trees disappeared and the fir trees came to flourish on the mountain. Even today, two of the original nine trees stand proudly near the One Pillar Gate.