'Manilyeombulhoe Birthplace' Goseong Geonbongsa Site Designated as Historic Site

The Central Temple Housing the True Relics of Seokgamoni
Mostly Destroyed During the Korean War, Restoration Underway

Although originally established during the Silla Dynasty, the site of Gangwon Goseong Geonbongsa Temple (乾鳳寺), which was burned down during the Korean War leaving only the ruins, is now managed as a nationally designated cultural heritage site. On the 28th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that 'Goseong Geonbongsa Site (乾鳳寺址)' has been designated as a historic site. It was judged to have significant historical and academic value due to archaeological excavation results and stone relics distributed throughout the entire temple grounds.

A representative from the Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "Starting with a surface survey in 1990, nine excavation investigations and two academic presentations confirmed the building remains from the late Goryeo period," adding, "The multi-courtyard (多院式) structure, where the prayer space and monks' quarters are uniformly arranged, is a representative example."

Located in Naengcheon-ri, Geojin-eup, Goseong-gun, Geonbongsa is said to have been founded in the 7th year of King Beopheung of Silla (520) by the monk Ado Hwasang (阿道和?) under the name 'Wongaksa (圓覺寺)'. Scholars believe it functioned as the birthplace of the Manil Yeombulhoe (萬日念佛會) and as a central temple enshrining the true relics of Sakyamuni Buddha. The Manil Yeombulhoe was a Buddhist assembly where participants chanted 'Namu Amitabul' orally for 10,000 days (approximately 27 years), praying for a peaceful life while alive and rebirth in the Pure Land after death.

During the reign of King Sejo of Joseon, it served as a Wondang (願堂), a Buddhist temple established or supported by the royal family to pray for wishes. Cultural heritage committee members reviewing the historic site designation stated in their report, "In 1465, King Sejo visited Geonbongsa and stayed for five days, designating it as his Wondang and ordering the construction of Eosilgak (御室閣)." The temple was renamed 'Geonbongsa' because of a phoenix-shaped stone located on the west side of the temple.

Geonbongsa was also the place where the monk Samyeong Daesa Yujeong (惟政; 1544?1610) raised monk soldiers during the Imjin War. In 1605, he reportedly returned from a diplomatic mission to Japan with Buddha’s tooth and relics, which were enshrined here.

Geonbongsa, with its long history, was mostly destroyed during the Korean War. After the war, it was located inside the Civilian Control Line (CCL), restricting access. It was only in 1989, when restrictions were eased, that free access became possible. Currently, restoration work on the temple is underway.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.