Baegyangsa
| Baegyangsa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Jogye Order, Korean Buddhism |
| Location | |
 | |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°26′21″N 126°52′59″E / 35.4392°N 126.8830°E |
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| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 백양사 |
| Hanja | 白羊寺 |
| Revised Romanization | Baegyangsa |
| McCune–Reischauer | Paegyangsa |
Baegyangsa (Korean: 백양사), also spelled Baekyangsa,[1] is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is situated in Bukha-myeon, Jangseong County, in South Jeolla province, South Korea. Built in 632 under the Baekje kingdom, it lies on the slopes of Baegam-san in Naejangsan National Park.
History
[edit]Baegyangsa was established by Zen Master Yeohwan (여환선사; 如幻禪師) in 632 AD. The temple's original name was Baegamsa (백암사; 白巖寺). In the Goryeo Dynasty, it was renamed Jeongtosa (정토사; 淨土寺) in 1034 by the monk Jungyeon (중연; 中延), who spearheaded a reconstruction of the temple. In Korean, Jeongto is the same concept of heaven as in Christianity. After the mid-Joseon period, this temple got its name as Baegyangsa.[2] This is because in 1574, during the reign of King Seonjo, a monk noticed that whenever he did his daily recital of the Lotus Sutra, many white goat would gather around him. Therefore, he adopted his Buddhist name as Hwanyang (환양; 喚羊), meaning 'calling goat', and gave Jeongtosa a second name, Baegyangsa, meaning 'white goat temple'. Both names would be used until the latter half of the 19th century when Baegyangsa became the sole name.[3]
In the Japanese occupation era the temple was recognized as one of the main temples in the Korean peninsula. It belongs to the Chogye Order at the present time. These days, a large role has been given to Baegyang Temple for educating monks around Jeolla province.
The temple has recently become well-known as the home of monk and chef Jeong Kwan.
Forests
[edit]Large numbers of Torreya nucifera grow around Baegyang Temple. This area is one of the northernmost areas where Torreya nucifera can grow in the Korean peninsula.
Tourism
[edit]The temple is a notable tourist destination, offering a Temple Stay program. The Temple Stay offers a shorter program and an overnight program, in which participants can learn cooking with Jeong Kwan.
Transportation
[edit]Baegyangsa is serviced by intercity buses, with several buses per day to the main bus terminals in Jeongeup and Gwangju.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Gordinier, Jeff (16 October 2015). "Jeong Kwan, the Philosopher Chef". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ "호남불교의 요람 천년고찰 백암산 백양사". www.baekyangsa.com. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
- ^ Lee, Jong-soo, "백양사 (白羊寺)", 한국민족문화대백과사전 [Encyclopedia of Korean Culture] (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2025-02-17
External links
[edit]- Jangseong County
- Buddhist temples in South Korea
- 7th-century Buddhist temples
- Buddhist temples of the Jogye Order
- Buildings and structures in South Jeolla Province
- 632 establishments
- Religious buildings and structures completed in the 630s
- Temples that participate in Templestay
- 7th-century establishments in Korea