Overview
Mitasa, located in Oksu-dong, is a directly affiliated temple of Jogyesa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, situated beneath Dalmajibong Park. Also, because it is located in Dumugae, it is also called Dumugae Seungbang. Mitasa, founded in 888 in the 2nd year of Queen Jinseong of Silla, was founded near Geumho-dong by the vow of the monk Daewon Bhikkun. In 1115, two bhikkhunis from Bongjeokjeok moved to the current Oksu-dong site to build the Geungnakjeon Hall and enshrine Amitabha Buddha, after which the national temple received the name Mitasa. The Geungrakjeon and Guanyin Hall at Mita Temple were built with the generous offerings of the devoted Jo Bi, while the Three Buddha Buddhas and six pagodas in Geungnakjeon, the main keep's paintings in Guanyin, and the seven-story stone pagoda all embody the traditional beauty of Buddhist art. Mitasa has continued its history, and many nuns have gathered to build their own hermitages within the temple. Today, it is a special traditional temple in downtown Seoul, home to seven hermitages: Daeseungam, Chilseonggak, Geumboam, Geumsuam, Jeongsuam, Gwaneumam, and Yongunam. In 1988, the Cheonbuljeon and Mita Kindergarten were built, and the center operates as a place for local residents and Buddhists to practice, as well as a regional children's care center.