Hoguk Jijangsa Temple (Seoul)

Hoguk Jijangsa Temple is said to have been founded by Master Doseon, who was renowned for his expertise in geomancy (pungsu-jiri) in 670. However, since Master Doseon was a figure of the 9th century, it seems more reasonable to view the temple as having been founded in the late 9th century rather than the 7th century. It is said that Master Doseon named the temple 'Galgungsa' because the site was a propitious spot where arrowroot vines were tangled and medicinal water flowed. Later, the temple, which had fallen into ruins, was rebuilt by Monk Boin during the reign of King Gongmin, and the temple name was changed to 'Hwajangam'. According to the 『Bongeun Bonmal Saji』, in 1577, when the tomb of Queen Dowager Changbin An, the biological grandmother of King Seonjo, was moved nearby, this temple was designated as a royal tomb temple and renamed 'Hwajangsa'. It is said that repairs were made in 1663. Subsequently, in 1862, two monks, Undam and Gyeonghae, rebuilt the temple. In 1870, Undam and Gyeonghae constructed a new bell pavilion. In 1878, the abbot Seongwol and Monk Gyeonghae repaired the main hall. In 1896, a new Chilseonggak (shrine to the Big Dipper) was built. In 1920, the abbot Wonong and Monk Myeongjin repaired the large hall. In 1936, the abbot Yu Yeongsong repaired the Neunginjeon Hall. After the Korean War, a national cemetery was established here, and in 1983, the temple name was changed again to 'Hoguk Jijangsa', which it remains to this day.

Address: 210 Hyeonchung-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul (Dongjak-dong)