Introduction to Temple
Hwaeomsa Temple is located in Gurye, Jeollanam-do on the very south-western edge of Jirisan National Park. Hwaeomsa Temple means “Flower Garland Temple” in English, which is in reference to the Flower Garland Sutra. The temple was first established in 544 A.D. by the monk Yeongi-josa, who might have been from India. The temple was later expanded by Jajang-yulsa (590-648 A.D.) in 643 A.D. And it was further expanded by the monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.), during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (r. 661-681 A.D.). Later, and in 875 A.D., Doseon-guksa (827-898 A.D.) expanded the temple, once more.
Throughout the years, Hwaeomsa Temple has undergone numerous rebuilds including from 1630-1636, after the temple was completely destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598) in 1593. Most of the temple shrine halls were destroyed by the Japanese at this time. Then in 1701, another reconstruction was completed at Hwaeomsa Temple. The temple shrine halls that were completed at this time were the Daeung-jeon Hall, the famed Gakhwang-jeon Hall, the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, the Wontong-jeon Hall, and the Yeongsan-jeon Hall. Also, three gates that included the Geumgangmun Gate, the Cheonwangmun Gate, and the Boje-ru Pavilion were built at this time, as well.
Hwaeomsa Temple is home to four National Treasures, eight Korean Treasures, one Historic Site, one Scenic Site, and two Natural Monuments. As for the Templestay program at Hwaeomsa Temple, they conduct the A Present of My Own Program, which is a freestyle type of program that lasts one night and two days.
For more on Hwaeomsa Temple.
From the Gurye Intercity Bus Terminal, you’ll need to take a bus bound for Hwaeomsa Temple. This bus leaves every ten to twenty minutes, and the first bus departs at 8 a.m. The final bus leaves Hwaeomsa Temple at 8:10 p.m. From where the bus lets you off, it’s an additional fifteen to twenty minute walk to get to Hwaeomsa Temple.
Hwaeomsa Temple conducts one Templestay program at their temple, it’s the A Present of My Own Program, which is a one night two day program. Here is their schedule:
A: A Present of My Own Program
|17:45-18:30||Four Buddhist Instruments Performance|
|18:30-19:30||Tea Time with a Monk|
|04:25-05:10||Early Morning Buddhist Ceremony|
|05:50-07:00||Breakfast and Free Time|
|07:30-10:00||Tea Time with a Monk/Hiking to a Hermitage|
|10:30-11:00||Cleaning and Templestay Review|
|11:20-12:00||Lunch and Check-Out|
(This schedule is subject to change)
Address: 539 Hwaeomsa-ro, Masan-myeon,Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea
Tel: For any questions, please contact Hwaeomsa Temple by email.
A Present of My Own Program – adults – 50,000 won; students (up to 18 years of age) – 40,000 won
Reservations for the A Present of My Own Program