Seongdeoksa Temple

Seongdeoksa Temple is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Bonghwasan Mountain in Sangbong-dong, Jungnang-gu, nestled in a narrow alley surrounded by residential areas. Established in 1957, its precincts include Daeungjeon Hall, a bell pavilion, Chilseonggak Shrine, Samsingak Shrine, and Mireukjeon Hall. Situated in a residential neighborhood, it supports the religious life and community service activities of local residents. This site was originally said to be a place with strong energy, where a legend of Aedongji (a winter solstice tale) is passed down. According to the legend, an old man was cutting wood on the mountainside, but no matter how many times he cut down a tree, it would stand back up. Startled, he fled to the village and told the story to the villagers. A monk who had stopped by the village for alms said that the place was filled with the grudges of many people, and to resolve these grudges, he advised offering prayers and not eating red bean porridge on Aedongji (the early winter solstice in the 11th lunar month). The villagers dismissed the monk's words lightly, but a widow with four children followed the monk's advice and offered prayers every year. Later, when a plague spread widely in the village, the widow's children remained healthy and grew well. It is said that just before her death, the widow called all her descendants and urged them to continue the prayers before passing away. After Korea's liberation in 1945, people began to gather and build houses in this area, but strangely, during construction, rafters would collapse or pillars would sink. Even when the Jogye Order built the temple, a bull carrying timber died and several workers were injured. However, after the temple was completed, no one suffered from unexpected accidents. Local natives say this is because Seongdeoksa Temple offers prayers on behalf of the community.

Address: 109-8 Bonghwasan-ro, Jungnang-gu, Seoul (Sangbong-dong)