Daejosa Temple (Buyeo)

Daejosa Temple (Buyeo) is a temple located on the southern slope of Seongheungsan Mountain (260.1m) in the southern part of Buyeo County. Built in the early 6th century, like the nearby Garimseong Fortress, it boasts a history of nearly 1,500 years and features high stone walls, giving it a fortress-like appearance. According to legend, an old monk was meditating under a rock when he saw a large bird perch on the rock and fell asleep. Upon waking, the rock had transformed into a statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva, leading to the temple being named Daejosa (meaning 'Great Maitreya Temple'). The stone standing Maitreya Bodhisattva statue, about 10 meters tall, erected on the large rock where Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva appeared, is designated as a Treasure. It is one of the giant stone Maitreya Bodhisattva statues popular during the Goryeo Dynasty and is considered a counterpart to the stone Maitreya Bodhisattva standing statue at Gwanchoksa Temple in Nonsan. Overall, it is highly regarded as a Bodhisattva statue showing the same local style as the Gwanchoksa stone Maitreya Bodhisattva. The stone pagoda standing in front of Daejosa's Wontongbojeon Hall, originally built during the Goryeo Dynasty but only partially remaining, was restored and designated as a Chungcheongnam-do Cultural Heritage Material. A wooden seated Bodhisattva statue, believed to have been made in the late Joseon Dynasty, is also designated as a Chungcheongnam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage. Nearby attractions include Seongheungsan Mountain, Buyeo Garimseong Fortress, Imcheon Hyanggyo, Imcheon Market, and Bokgeum Reservoir.

Address: 112, Seongheung-ro 197beon-gil, Imcheon-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do