Myojeoksa Temple

Myojeoksa Temple is a Buddhist temple located on Myojeoksan Mountain in Wabu-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do. It was founded by Wonhyo, a monk of the Unified Silla period of the North-South States Period. It is a branch temple of Bongseonsa, the head temple of the 25th Diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is said to have been founded by Wonhyo during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (661–681). However, it was left in a state of near ruin until the early Joseon period, when Monk Hakyeol rebuilt it with about 180 rooms during the reign of King Sejong. It then established southern and northern military camps and began to be used as a site for the military service examination. It also appears in historical records such as the Sejong Sillok, Yeonsangun Ilgi, and Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam. As such, Myojeoksa Temple was a temple prepared to defend the nation during times of national crisis and served as a training ground for monk soldiers. During the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin Waeran), it was used as a training command by Samyeongdang to train monk soldiers, but it was repeatedly subjected to concentrated attacks by Japanese forces and eventually fell into ruin. According to the 'Myojeoksa Sansingak Changgeongi' written by Kim Gyo-heon, the temple had only maintained its existence as a small-scale temple for hundreds of years until the spring of 1895, when Gyuo came to this temple, gathered alms, built a Sansingak (Mountain Spirit Hall), and enshrined the mountain king statue that had long been at the temple. In 1969, a fire caused by the temple's abbot, In-gu, burned down the Sansingak and the large room. In 1971, the abbot himself rebuilt the Daeungjeon (Main Hall) and the monks' quarters. The existing buildings include the Daeungjeon and the monks' quarters. The Myojeoksa Valley near Myojeoksa Temple is a representative attraction of Namyangju, with cool streams and lush large trees, making it a popular place for many people to escape the heat in summer.