Songgwangsa (송광사)

Korea (South) / Chollanam / Polgyo / Songgwangsaan-gil (Route 897), 100
 interesting place, buddhist temple
Songgwangsa is one of the most important Zen Buddhist monasteries in Korea, and is considered one of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea. Songgwangsa was founded in 867 as a hermitage by Zen Master Hyerin in the latter part of the Shilla dynasty. But because the temple was destroyed during the Japanese invation of 1592 all the current buildings date from the 17th century.

One of the most unique features of Songgwangsa is a pair of covered arched bridges spanning a shallow stream that flows serenely in the front of the temple entrance.

Songgwangsa houses the International Zen Center where non-Koreans can study Buddhism and serves as the head temple for the 21st district of the Jogye Order.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songgwang_Temple
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°0'9"N   127°16'28"E
This article was last modified 12 years ago