Gwaneumjeon Hall of Guryongsa Temple

Gwaneumjeon Hall of Guryongsa Temple in Chiaksan Mountain is a hall located on the left hill. Gwaneumjeon Hall refers to the dharma hall enshrined with Gwanseumbosal, or Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, which refers to the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion.

The Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva that was enshrined in Gwaneumjeon Hall, is believed to have the power of seeing and healing humans in the world of Sahbah with a thousand eyes and a thousand hands as if the Buddha appeared in reality. Thus, the Gwaneum belief has taken an important position in Mahayana Buddhism since ancient times.

Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva can transform into 33 forms, and often takes the form of the moon or water. This symbolizes the belief that the reflection of the moon on the water teaches us to rid ourselves of useless desires in order to be saved.

The reason why many temples in Korea have erected Gwaneumjeon Hall is that Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva not only saves people from all difficulties, but also embodies the true nature of compassion aiming to assist in the comfort and connections of sentient beings.

Inside Gwaneumjeon Hall, you can find a statue of Gwanseum with a lotus flower, ‘Yangnyu Gwaneum holding willow branches,’ and eleven looks of ‘Sipilmyeon Gwaneum,’ along with ‘Haesu Gwaneum,’ ‘Baeg-ui Gwaneum,’ ‘Yongdu Gwaneum,’ and ‘Cheonsu Gwaneum’.