Overview
Suamsa Temple, located on the south-facing Gilsangji site halfway up Suraksan, is a temple directly affiliated with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. In the 43rd year of King Jinpyeong of Silla (621), Wongwang, the original author of the Hwarang Secular Five Rules, founded it with the aim of achieving the great task of unifying the Three Kingdoms. After being destroyed during the Byeongjahoran invasion in the Joseon Dynasty, only the Seokguk Dharma Hall remained, and it was rebuilt. Within the temple grounds, there is a 25-pyeong traditional (dancheong) traditional painting (dancheong) Paradise Preservation Hall, built during the reconstruction by Monk Douk in 1962, as well as the Samseonggak Pavilion, the monks' quarters, and the Maitreya statue built in 1972. On the large rock next to the Geungnakbojeon is an intaglio image of a dragon ascending to heaven holding a Yeouiju (a stalk), and in the center of the temple is a red pine tree resembling several dragons writhing and ascending to heaven. There is a cave temple said to have a mysterious spring gushing forth. You can visit while climbing Suraksan together with Doansa, Songamsa, and Doseonsa.