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Gwaneum Temple ( 관음사)

Korea (South) / Chollanam / Hwasun / Seonse-ri, 2
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Gwaneum Temple stands 5km from Seonse Village in Osan-myeon, Gokseong. Mount Geomjang is behind the temple and Mount Seongdeok is found to the southeast. These two mountains stretch to Seonse Village creating a narrow 5km long valley.

Seokdeok brought a Buddhist image from Beolgyo, Jeonnam and built Gwaneum Temple in the 3rd year of King Bunseo in the Baekje Period(300). It is the oldest temple in South Korea and the only holy place to have Gwaneum Buddha.

Since Red Guerrillas made the temple their headquarters during the Korean War, the government burned down the temple to subdue the Red Guerrillas.

Also Wontongjeon (National Treasure No. 273), built in the Goryeo Dynasty, and Gold Buddhist Seating Image (National Treasure 214) were also destroyed. Only the head of the gold image remains.

Three buildings are original and four were the buildings are from Daeeun Temple, which was removed and reconstructed by Buddhist Monk Park Chang-hun in 1954.

Gwaneum Temple keeps the tale of Wonhongjang which is believed as the origin of Simcheong Story.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°12'52"N   127°9'53"E
This article was last modified 12 years ago