Naewonsa (Seoul)

Naewonsa is a temple located on the slopes of Samgaksan Mountain. Passing through the Jeongneung Valley and climbing about 1 km, it is situated in a place overlooking Mount Mokmyeoksan in the distance. The exact date and founder of its construction are not clearly known, but the site exudes an extraordinary atmosphere. Currently, the only historical evidence revealing the existence of Naewonsa is the "Suseonjeondo (首善全圖)" produced by Kim Jeong-ho and a wooden printing block called "Baeguidaesabuldo (白衣大士佛圖)" created in 1859 (the 10th year of King Cheoljong's reign) and preserved at the temple. In the Suseonjeondo, Naewonam is marked at the same location as the current Naewonsa, and the wooden block of "Baeguidaesabuldo" contains the record "Samgaksan Naewonam (三角山內院庵)," indicating that the temple's Buddhist tradition continued until the early 19th century. It is puzzling when and for what reason Naewonsa subsequently disappeared into history. Thus, the impermanence of time is keenly felt. Today, amidst this impermanence, the moss-covered stonework stretching below the Bell Pavilion exudes traces of time, and the sweet dew water springing from rock crevices flows silently, as if forgetting the temple's rise and fall.

Source: Naewonsa