Overview
Baekryeonsa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple located at the foot of Baekryeonsan Mountain in Seodaemun, was founded by Jinpyo Monk in the 6th year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla (747). At that time, it was called Jeongtosa, but in the first year of King Jeongjong of the Joseon Dynasty, it was renamed Baekryeonsa Temple. After Jeongjong, the second king of Joseon, abdicated the throne to Taejong, he stayed here for his recuperation. It is said that Princess Uisuk, daughter of King Sejo of Joseon, lost her husband at the age of 20 and wandered around to soothe her grief, where she saw the Haedongmuk (Eomnamu tree) and realized the true meaning of life. Later, it was decided to make it the original hall of Princess Uisuk, and the name was changed to Baekryeonsa Temple. According to one account, from Gyeongbokgung Palace, it was called Seobangjeong or Jeongtosa because it was to the west, but one summer day, a white lotus suddenly bloomed in the pond, so the temple was renamed Baekryeonsa Temple. Although it was destroyed during the Imjin War during King Seonjo's reign, it was immediately rebuilt, and since then, it has been rebuilt several times. The Pure Lands, completed in 1965, the Infinite Spring Hall with Amitabha Buddha, the Wontongjeon with Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, as well as the Medicine Dictionary Hall, Avalokitesvara Hall, Myeongbujeon, Samseonggak, Poison Pavilion, Benjong-gak, and Haetalu are located here, as well as statues of the Jeongpo Daehwa and Pure Land Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva statues.