Mugaksa (Gwangju)

 temple, buddhist temple

Mugaksa, or Mugak Temple, is a Buddhist temple in Gwangju built to serve the military as a Buddhist center in 1971. Mugaksa is located in the “May 18th Citizen’s Park” in Sangmujigu. It is the largest temple in South Jeolla Province.

Daeungbojeon, the main Buddha worship hall, is 4,000 square feet in area and is the largest Daeungbojeon in South Jeolla Province. The temple also has two-story bell tower, a 13-story stone pagoda, a gallery, a bookstore, a cafe, conference facilities and a temple-stay program.

Originally located in Yeouisan Mountain, Mugaksa Temple started out as a religious place for combat soldiers at Sangmudae, or the Army Warfare Military Academy. While the academy may have moved, the temple site remained and the entire mountain was designated the May 18 Memorial Exhibit Hall. Currently located in Sangmu District, the heart of Gwangju's largest financial and administrative district, Mugaksa Temple is an urban temple comparable to Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul.
The temple's Book Cafe, Lotus Gallery, and traditional tea salon Sarangchae have not only broken down the wall of religion but also become places of culture, art, meetings, and relaxation for citizens.
Every Saturday, the temple organizes Bomulseom, or "Treasure Island", which is a flea market for people to buy and sell recycled goods. All combined, the temple is a destination for visitors and an on-site educational center for students.