Girimsa

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Girimsa (temple) was built in 643 CE by Monk Gwangyu from India at the foot of Mount Hamwol during the reign of Queen Sondok. First named Limjeongsda, after monk Wonhyo rebuilt and expanded the temple on a grander scale in 643 CE, the temple's name was changed to Girimsa. Girimsa, derived from "Girim Jeongsa", means the forest where Buddha resided.

Girimsa was once the largest temple in the Gyeongju area until the mid-1940s, even having Bulguksa as a branch temple. However, while Bulguksa thrived, Girimsa did not due to its inaccessibility. Girimsa was one of the 31 major temples of the Joseon Dynasty and has maintained the present figuration in spite of several significant wars.

Girimsa consists of 16 buildings including Daejeokgwangjeon (hall), Yaksajeon (hall), Eungjinjeon (hall), and others. In addition to those buildings, Girimasa has relics such as Moktap Site, Three-Story Stone Pagoda and the Lacquered Seated Mercy Bodhisattva of Girimsa Temple (Treasure No. 415).

At this temple are 4 treasures, and 3 places that are tangible cultural properties; Wooden Pagoda Site, Jinnamru, and Cheondanjeong Well used for dedicating tea to Buddha with five types of medicinal waters.

In the east, Yaksajeon, was built to enshrine the statue of Yaksayeorae. In the West, the Eungjinjeon was built to enshrine the statues of the 500 Arahats. In the south, there were two other buildings, Muryangsujeon, and Jinnamru. Also built in the east, were two other buildings, a three-story Wooden pagoda and another shrine for the relics of Jeonggwangyeorae. Both have disappeared, although the site for the three-story Wooden pagoda still remains traceable. I

Daejeoggwangjeon, Treasure # 833, built to enshrine the three statues of the Buddha, represents the typical style of Buddha Halls in the late Joseon Dynasty. Buddhist texts, written with ink made of gold and silver, is Treasure #959, are found along with the relics of Sakyamuni Buddha in Daejeoggwangjeon.

The rare half-seated lacquer Bodhisattva, found in the temple museum, is Treasure #415.

The three-story stone pagoda in front of Eungjinjeon is a valuable cultural artifact, representing the typical style of stone pagodas in the late Silla Dynasty is Tangible Cultural property #205.


Lacquer Seated Bodhisattva is Treasure #415.
Daejeoggwangjeon Hall is Treasure #833.
Clay Three Molding Vairocana is Treasure #958.
Buddhist Script Enshrined Vairocana Image's Belly (71 Scripts) is Treasure #959.
Three Story Pagoda is Tangible Cultural property #205.
Unginjeon Hall is Tangible Cultural Property #214.
Jinnamru is Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural Property Material #251.