Byeoksongsa Temple (Jirisan)

Byeoksongsa Temple is a branch temple of Haeinsa Temple, the 12th diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The exact founding date is unknown, but based on the three-story stone pagoda behind the temple, believed to have been erected at the time of its founding, the period is estimated to be the late Silla or early Goryeo period. The three-story stone pagoda is designated as Treasure No. 474. It is said that during the reign of King Jungjong of Joseon (1520), Great Master Byeok Song Ji Eom rebuilt the temple and named it Byeoksongsa. This temple is a place where eight patriarchs who illuminated the Seon (Zen) lineage of Joseon, including Byeok Gye Jeong Sim, Byeok Song Ji Eom, and Bu Yong Yeong Gwan before Great Master Seosan Cheong Heo Hyu Jeong, as well as Hwan Seong Ji An and Seo Ryong Sang Min, practiced asceticism, making the connection between Korean Seon and Byeoksongsa Temple particularly special. It was destroyed by fire in the 30th year of King Sukjong (1704) and rebuilt by Great Master Hwan Seong Ji An. It was repaired by Great Master Seo Ryong Dang Sang Min in the first year of King Cheoljong (1850), but was destroyed again during the Korean War in 1950. In 1960, Monk Won Eung Gu Han rebuilt the collapsed temple, leading to its present state. The existing buildings include the main hall, Wontongjeon, with Bangjang Seonwon and Ganwollu on the left and right, a mountain gate and bell tower in the front, and a Sansingak (mountain spirit shrine) in the back. The temple grounds preserve many cultural properties, including the "Byeoksongsa Three-Story Stone Pagoda," the folk material "Byeoksongsa Mokjangseung" (wooden guardian post), and Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage items such as the portrait of Byeoksongdang Ji Eom, the woodblocks of Gyeongamjip, and the woodblocks of Myobeop Yeonhwagyeong.