Ssangbongsa, Gyedangsan

Temple · Jeolla

Researched and translated with AI assistance. Every claim is linked to its source, but errors get through, so check the official site for opening times, fees and closures.About

In short

The only building that carried the form of a three-storey wooden pagoda, lost to a candle.

The stupa of the Seon master Cheolgam at Ssangbongsa in Hwasun. — Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Quick facts

Address: 459 Ssangsanui-ro, Iyang-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do

About this place

Ssangbongsa stands on Gyedangsan in Iyang-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do. In the reign of King Gyeongmun of Silla, the Seon master Cheolgam returned from China, saw how fine the hills and water were, and founded it. Having returned in 847, Cheolgam laid at this temple the foundations of the Saja school, one of the Nine Mountain Seon schools. The Daeungjeon, a square three-storey building twelve metres tall in all, was the only building in the country that carried the form of a three-storey wooden pagoda apart from its finial — but in early April 1984 it was consumed in an accidental fire caused by a candle. The stupa of the Seon master Cheolgam here was designated a National Treasure in 1962.

Origin and history

In the reign of King Gyeongmun of Silla, the Seon master Cheolgam returned from China, saw how fine the hills and water were, and founded the temple.

Having returned in 847, Cheolgam laid at this temple the foundations of the Saja school, one of the Nine Mountain Seon schools.

The Daeungjeon, a square three-storey building twelve metres tall in all, was the only building in the country that carried the form of a three-storey wooden pagoda apart from its finial. In early April 1984 it was consumed in an accidental fire caused by a candle.

The stupa of the Seon master Cheolgam here was designated a National Treasure in 1962.

What it is locally associated with

Origin
The only three-storey wooden pagoda form
The Daeungjeon, a square three-storey building twelve metres tall in all, was the only building in the country carrying the form of a three-storey wooden pagoda apart from its finial.
documented history
What people do here
A candle, in 1984
In early April 1984 it was consumed in an accidental fire caused by a candle.
documented history
Power spot
The foundations of the Saja school
Having returned in 847, the Seon master Cheolgam laid at this temple the foundations of the Saja school, one of the Nine Mountain Seon schools.
documented history

One sentence in this temple’s record is in the past tense. The Daeungjeon, it says, was the only building in the country carrying the form of a three-storey wooden pagoda apart from its finial. It means there was one, and it means there is not now.

The reason is set down with it. In early April 1984 it was consumed in an accidental fire caused by a candle. Not a war, not an invasion — a candle. What the temples on this site have lost usually has a large name attached to it; here one small accident ended the only one of its kind.

The temple is joined to a school as well. Having returned in 847, Cheolgam laid here the foundations of the Saja school, one of the Nine Mountain Seon schools. Silsangsa in Namwon is where the Silsang school was opened and Taeansa in Gokseong became the centre of the Dongni school, so three of the nine now run through this site.

The reason for the founding was the view. Cheolgam is said to have returned from China, seen how fine the hills and water were, and built here. The stupa holding his remains was designated a National Treasure in 1962.

Claims and evidence levels 2

The Daeungjeon was the only building in Korea carrying the form of a three-storey wooden pagoda, and was destroyed by an accidental candle fire in early April 1984. documented history
Cheolgam laid the foundations of the Saja school here after returning from China in 847, and his stupa was designated a National Treasure in 1962. documented history

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