Seonbawi (Seonam)

This rock is considered a sacred object, and because its shape resembles a monk wearing a long black robe (jangsam) with wide sleeves, it is called 'Seonbawi,' taking the character 'Seon' (禪) from Buddhism. There is a story that when King Taejo Yi Seong-gye of the Joseon Dynasty was building the capital wall in Hanyang, the civil official Jeong Do-jeon and the royal monk Muhak Daesa had a major disagreement over whether to place this rock inside or outside the wall. If the rock were placed inside the wall, Buddhism would flourish and Confucian scholars would lose power; if placed outside, monks would lose power. Unable to decide, the next morning they found a spot where the snow had not melted, which King Taejo considered the site for the wall, and eventually the rock was left outside the wall. Although this natural rock shaped like a human figure is not a direct object of worship, it is notable for being regarded as sacred, as if possessing Buddhist power (bullyeok).