Beomosa Temple ~ Tradition of South Korea Buddhist | Zanne Xanne’s Travel Guide
After the temple visit to Busan Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, I have visited another ancient Busan’s Buddhist temple which located on the slopes of Geumjeongsan Mountain. Surrounded by the greenery mountain and hiking trails, Beomosa Temple is a serene and tranquil Buddhist temple with over 1300 years of history and tradition of South Korean Buddhist. Moreover, Beomosa Temple is a renowned place for many city inhabitants and popular starting point for hikers to hikes over Geumjeongsan Mountain.
BEOMOSA TEMPLE HISTORY
Beomosa Temple was given the name of “The Heavenly Fish Temple” (Beom means nirvana, eo means fish and sa means temple). Beomosa Temple was founded by the monk name Master Uisang-josa in year 678 and the Japanese invasion during year 1592 hit Beomosa Temple badly. Many of the buildings turned into rubble and ashes and also some of the existing building dates from 17th and 18th centuries. The temple’s monks are famed for their Sunmudo martial art techniques which based on the Seon Buddhism.
TEMPLE STAY
In order to immerse yourself in the Buddhist monastic culture, you may experience the temple stay and taking part of the various temple activities in Beomosa Temple. An advance booking is required via online and you may kick start your dawn with the pre-dawn chanting and some others meditation activities too. Be observant with the basic Buddhist temple etiquette and be respectful of people praying and chanting. Do not dress up in over revealing clothes and the centre entrance is reserved for the monks. Tourist should enter the temple via the left or the right entrance in order to enter Beomosa Temple.
From the parking lot of Beomosa Temple, you may follow the pathway and broad staircase all the way up to the temple. You will pass by a small tract of the beautiful pines and bamboo trees. Before reaching the Beomosa Temple, you will also pass by Gregarious Wisteria Habitat which is one of the natural monuments of Geumjeongsan Mountain.
Upon arrival, you will lead to the open design concept of the first gate of temple The One Pillar Gate / Ii Ju Mun that represents the physical boundary between the secular world and the spiritual world.
Moreover, it’s free admission to Beomosa Temple. The Beomosa Temple Museum is just located next to “The One Pillar Gate” and the operation hour of the exhibition is from 9am to 5pm. Please take note that the museum will be closed during the lunch hour from 12pm to 1pm.
There was a saying from the older people where they believed that by consuming the spring water from the mountain may bring youthful to them. There is a well located behind the centre of the hall that stores the spring water from Geumjeongsan Mountain. The taste is different from what we drink daily. The spring water tastes clear and sweet, it’s really different from the artificial sweet that we normally add into our drinks!
Beomosa Temple holds the charm like the uniquely designed, elaborated from the interior to the exterior of the temple hall. The buildings are beautiful and ornate.
However, the worship was going on during our visit. We are prohibited from entering the hall and photo taking. Nevertheless, it’s still worth for the trip due to the beautiful architecture set against an extraordinary mountain backdrop!
HOW TO GO
Take the train to Beomeosa Subway Station and exit no 1 to reach the street level. Spin 180 degrees, turn left at the corner and walk a block uphill. It will lead you to the bus stop of bus 90. You may take the bus 90 to Beomeosa Temple Entrance.
BEOMOSA TEMPLE
250, Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan