Temples

Temples in Gwangju

Most of the following temples offer temple stay activities for tourists who might be interested in experiencing the daily life at a Buddhist temple. These temples are also places of worship for Buddhists, and admission is always free for individuals who desire to pray at the temple. For more information on temple stays, please contact the temple directly or visit the following website: http://eng.templestay.com

Jeungsimsa 증심사

Seon Master Chulgam (798~868) first built Jeungsimsa in the era of the Unified Shilla Kingdom. It was destroyed and rebuilt. Obaekjeon, built around 1609, is a hall still in its original form and it enshrines the statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, his 16 disciples and 500 arahants. In addition, Jeungsimsa possesses an iron statue of Vairocana Buddha, a three-storied stone pagoda from the Unified Shilla Kingdom era, and a standing statue of Bodhisattva from the Goryo era.

• Website: http://www.jeungsimsa.org/
• Address: 56 Ullim-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062-226-0107
• Bus stop: Jeungsimsa (증심사) (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

Mugaksa 무각사

Mugaksa was built to serve the military as a Buddhist center in 1971. Mugaksa is located in the ‘May 18th Citizen’s Park’ in Sangmu-jigu. The park is a ten minute walk from exit 3 of Uncheon station (Honam University). Directions to the park are posted at each intersection along the way.

• Website: http://www.mugaksa.or.kr/
• Address: San-1 Chipyung-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062-383-0108
• Bus stop: Uncheon Station 운천역 (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

Wongaksa원각사

• Wongaksa located downtown is easy to visit anytime.
• Address: 51 Geumnamno 4(sa)-ga, Dong-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062-223-3168, 224-5289
• Bus stop: Geumnamno 4(sa)-ga (금남로 4가), walk to Wongaksa for 5 minutes (Gwangju Bus Schedule)
• Website: www.wongaksa.org (Korean)

Wonhyosa 원효사

Wonhyosa is an ancient temple founded by the Buddhist monk, Wonhyo-daesa, during the Shilla dynasty period. Located at the northern border of Mudeungsan, it is seven-eight minute walk from the entrance up the slope of Mudeungsan. Some 100 Buddhist relics including a standing bronze Buddha sculpture were discovered under the newly constructed buildings in the 1980’s are currently on exhibition at the Gwangju National Museum.

• Address: 846 Geumgok-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju
• Tel: 062-266-0326
• Bus stop: 1187 Wonhyosa (원효사) (Gwangju Bus Schedule)

Yaksasa 약사사

Yaksasa is an attractive temple with beautiful scenery. You can find Yaksasa on the route from Jeungsimsa to Sae.inbong. It was originally called In.wangsa and was constructed by the Buddhist monk, Cheolgam-seonsa, who also built Jeungsimsa, another famous temple in Gwangju.

• Address: 11 Ullim-dong, Dong-gu,Gwangju
• Tel: 062-222-9844
• Bus stop: Jeungsimsa (증심사), walk to Yaksasa for 30 minutes (Gwangju Bus Schedule)