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One of the few large-scale urban temples to be found in the country, Bongeun-sa,
Seoul founded in 794 by Yeon-hoe, the then highest ranking monk of the Silla
dynasty is positioned south of the Han River in the midst of urban sprawl. Originally
called Kyongseoungsa, this Buddhist temple had fallen into poor condition during
the Goryeo dynasty, however, got renovated during the patronage of a Joseon-dynasty
Queen even at that time Buddhism was strongly discouraged.
Queen had Bongeun-sa, Seoul recreated and appointed the monk Bo-wu in 1548 to supervise the temple. In the year 1551 this temple became the main one of the Jogye son order. However, after the death of Bo-Wu the temple underwent a dark era of negligence for a particular span of time. The temple witnessed undulations in Korean history. In the year 1855 the monk Young-ki finished woodblock carvings of the Flower Garland sutra. These can still be noticed in one of the halls which escaped devastation during the Korean war. Bongeun-sa, Seoul was declared one of Korea's 14 major temples in 1902. During the Japanese advent this temple became the headquarters of 80 smaller Buddhist temples around Seoul and performed that duty of sheltering other temples quite aptly. In the year 1922 and 1929, the head monk of this temple Cheong-ho saved over 700 people from drowning in the Han River. This became an act that stimulated a monument of acknowledgment. After colonial rule Bongeun-sa, Seoul became secondary to the Jogye order. Jogye order is the largest Buddhist sect in Korea. It is regarded as an unfortunate affair that this temple was mostly shattered during the devastating Korean War. However, reconstruction continues even today. And people do come here to observe this marvelous piece of architecture every year. Do pay a visit to Bongeun-sa, Seoul.
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