Deoksansa Temple (Naewonsa Temple)

Deoksansa Temple is a temple exquisitely located at the confluence of Jangdangol and Naewon-gol in Daepo-ri, Samjang-myeon, Sancheong-gun. Its atmosphere changes with each season, adding charm, but it is especially beautiful in autumn when the maple trees in the yard of Daeungjeon Hall turn red, and its coziness makes it a place where one wishes to stay overnight. It also leaves an impression with its neat and serene ambiance, reminiscent of the rear garden of a nobleman's house.<br /><br />It was founded by National Preceptor Muyeom during the reign of King Muyeol of Silla and named Deoksansa Temple, but later it was completely destroyed by a fire of unknown cause and left abandoned. In 1959, it was rebuilt by Monk Wongyeong and has come down to the present day. At that time, the temple's name was changed to Naewonsa Temple, but it is now called Deoksansa Temple again.<br /><br />If you climb the forest stairs along the valley on the Jangdangol side, you will face a modest temple on the opposite side of the Jangdangol valley. It is Banyagyo Bridge, which you must cross to enter the most beautiful part of Deoksansa Temple. 'Banya' means wisdom. The wisdom to forget all worldly afflictions is obtained at Banyagyo Bridge, and along with the clear sound of water heard everywhere in the temple, it makes you feel as if you are entering a heavenly world. Standing in the middle of Banyagyo Bridge, you can feel the cool energy of the valley, and on cloudy days, you can also enjoy the mysterious water mist rising from the valley.<br /><br />After crossing Banyagyo Bridge, you enter the temple grounds, which feel like the rear garden of a nobleman's house, without any entrance like Iljumun Gate or Burimun Gate. The sound of the valley water gives the impression that the temple is floating on water. The yard in front of Daeungjeon Hall is surrounded by maple trees, and around Daeungjeon Hall are Simudang Hall, Birojeon Hall, Sansingak Hall, Chilseonggak Hall, and monks' quarters, all uniformly small in scale. There is the Seoknamam Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha Statue enshrined in Birojeon Hall, designated as a Treasure, and the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Deoksansa Temple built during the Goryeo Dynasty. Looking at the front yard from the stairs in front of Daeungjeon Hall feels even more endearing. There is an interesting feng shui legend associated with Deoksansa Temple. The temple site was considered a prime feng shui location, attracting so many visitors from across the country that it greatly hindered meditation. The abbot worried about this, and an old monk said, 'If you build a road to the foot of the southern peak and a bridge over the stream flowing in front, it will be resolved,' and then suddenly disappeared.<br /><br />The next day, all the monks were mobilized to build a log bridge over the stream and a road to the foot of the peak. While they were resting, a cat's cry was heard three times. The people found this strange and wondered what it signified. Later, a feng shui interpretation explained that the peak in front was a cat's acupoint, and the peak behind the temple was a rat's acupoint. By building the road and bridge, the cat could catch the rat. After this, the number of visitors gradually decreased, allowing the monks to meditate quietly, but the temple was completely destroyed by a fire of unknown cause.<br /><br />When the temple was burning, three strong monks living there drew water from the stream with a large log to put out the fire. Strangely, the water drawn from the left fell into the right stream, the water from the right fell into the left stream, and the water from the front fell onto the rear mountain peak. Unable to control the flames, the temple was completely burned down.