Samcheonsa Temple (Seoul)

Samcheonsa Temple was founded in 661 by Master Wonhyo. According to the *Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam* and *Bukhanji*, the temple was once so large and prosperous that about 3,000 monks could practice asceticism there. It is assumed that the temple's name originated from this number, but recent archaeological surveys have uncovered roof tiles inscribed with 'Samcheon (三川)' rather than 'Samcheon (三千),' indicating that the name was used in two different senses.

It is said that the temple served as a gathering place for monk soldiers during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin Waeran) and did not escape the ravages of war. Later, Master Jinyeong restored the temple at the site of the Maitreya rock-carved image, where a hermitage of the temple had once stood. In the 1970s, Monk Seongun resided here and helped designate the thousand-year-old rock-carved standing Buddha (Treasure No. 657) as a national treasure. Subsequently, buildings such as Daeungbojeon, Sanryeonggak, Cheontaegak, Yeonsuwon, and Yosachae, along with the Sakyamuni Buddha's true body stupa, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue, bell-shaped stupa, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue, five-story stone pagoda, and reconstruction stele, were constructed to give the temple its current appearance.