Buddhist Monk Jajang’s Togul of Beopheungsa Temple

Designated Tangible Property of Gangwon-do Province, Buddhist Monk Jajang’s Togul of Beopheungsa Temple is the cave which he used for ascetic practice. The interior of Togul is just big enough for a person to sit, and it is said that Buddhist Monk Jajang used to cover the area with thorn bushes when practicing.

The ‘togul’ cave utilizes the low slope of the hill behind it, covering the cave with its soil. This represents the original form of caves used by ancient monks for their practices, making it of great value.

In 638, the 5th year of Queen Seondeok of the Silla Kingdom, Buddhist Monk Jajang visited the Tang Dynasty. He first went to Cheongnyangsan Mountain where the statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva was located. As he was deep in prayer in front of the statue one day, the bodhisattva patted him gently and presented him with a hwadu, or critical phrase.

Jajang pondered it carefully yet couldn’t understand its meaning. Then, an old monk appeared and told him the following:

“One may learn ten thousand things, but there is nothing like this!”

It is said that the old monk gave him some relics and his robe, and then vanished. The relics that he received were the reliquary of Sakyamuni Buddha, and they have been enshrined in Jeongmyeolbogung Hall of Beopheungsa Temple ever since!

Sajasan Mountain, where the legendary lion ridden by Manjusri Bodhisattva is known to stay. The relics of Sakyamuni Buddha are enshrined in the temple, but the clear and fragrant sound of awakening still resonates through Beopheungsa Temple in Sajasan Mountain.