The Origin of Bomunsa
“Bomunsa was founded in 635, the fourth year of Queen Seondeok, the 27th ruler of the Silla Kingdom, by Great Master Hoejeong after he had a vision of Gwamseumbosal, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, while practicing on Mt. Geumgangsan. He called it Bomunsa Temple, meaning that Gwanseumbosal resides in the sacred ground from a broad and deep perspective!”
“On a spring day like any other fourteen years after the foundation, a number of fishermen from a village down the mountain from Bomunsa Temple went out to fish…”
"Now, pull the net! (working hard) Wow! (surprised) What are these?”
“They netted more than twenty stones, which appeared quite strange in their net. The fishermen threw the stones back into the sea and cast their net again a further distance away. That night, each of the fishermen had the same dream.”
“We are holy men from India, and have come to give dharma to achieve all the wishes of sentient beings. Please lead us to Nakgasan Mountain so that we may rest in comfort!”
“When morning broke, the fishermen cast their net at the spot where they had thrown the stones the previous day, and up came twenty-two stone statues. The fishermen placed the statues of Maitreya, the Future Bodhisattva, Dipankara, the Past Bodhisattva, and the Arhats in a cave at Bomunsa Temple. At the time, it was said that the sound of sutra chanting and delicate scents came out of the cave. That night the fishermen had another dream….”
“I have come with Shakyamuni Buddha and two bodhisattvas, as well as eight others, all the Buddha’s disciples. We are very thankful that you have taken good care of us. Hahaha….”