“Want to find peace of mind?” I ask. Look up to where Seollimsa Temple quietly sits nestled in the embrace of Suraksan Mountain. This temple offers solace to those seeking refuge from the chaos of everyday life.
Seollimsa Temple is easily accessible via a mountain trail. It stands as a serene testament to Korean Buddhist tradition. As you ascend the path towards Seollimsa, leave behind the noise of the city.
Seollimsa belongs to the Jogye Order. It is under the head temple of Bongseonsa. For almost 300 years it has been a sanctuary. It is where the Bhikkhunis nuns practice their teachings.
As mountain climbers ascend Suraksan Mountain, they often pause here. Many seek solace and inner peace within Seollimsa’s peaceful embrace.
Entering Seollimsa, you must pass through Iljumun Gate. After walking about 200 meters, you will find yourself in the temple grounds. Seollimsa Temple’s history stretches back to 1671. The temple was then known as Seollimam Hermitage. The monk Seokheon Hwasang founded this hermitage.
In 1698 and again in 1745, floods destroyed the hermitage. It was rebuilt and renamed Seollimsa. The Korean War in 1950 brought further destruction.
In 1965, the Bhikkhuni Sang-in rebuilt the temple. She constructed the main halls. She enshrined the Amitabha Buddha triad.
The halls are surrounded by lush trees. This creates a natural embrace. It fosters an atmosphere of tranquility within Seollimsa’s courtyard.
Within Seollimsa, you can find the Geukrakbojeon main hall. Other buildings include Jeokmukdang, Yosachae, Jinyeonggak, Samseonggak, Beomjonggak, and Jijangbosal. There is also a five-story stone pagoda.
To the left of the entrance to Seollimsa stands a Stele. It honors the nuns. A unique feature of Seollimsa is its use of Hangeul. The signs are not written in Hanja. The Beomjonggak pavilion displays a sign written in Korean. Inside Beomjonggak are a bell, a Dharma drum, a wooden fish, and a cloud plate.
The bell at Seollimsa rings three times a day. It rings 33 times at 3 a.m. It rings 12 times at noon. It rings 28 times at 5 p.m.
Listening to the bell’s resonant sound echoing through the mountains is very special. Visit at the right time.
The main hall, or “큰법당” as it is written in Korean, catches your eye first. The hall is typically called “Daeungjeon” in other temples.
To protect against fire, the hall is built of cement. This distinguishes it from other temples. The stained glass adds to the hall’s beauty.
The main hall’s first floor houses a large room. The second floor houses the main Buddha hall. It features a stone statue of Amitabha Buddha. It also features statues of Munsu Bosal and Bohyeon Bosal.
The Amitabha Buddha is in the center. Gwanseeum Bosal is on the left. Daesaeji Bosal is on the right. This arrangement is in the Geukrakjeon hall. Seollimsa has it in the main hall.
To the right of the main hall are the Jijang Bosal hall and the five-story stone pagoda. The Jijang Bosal hall features small Buddha statues. They are stacked high to form steps.
The statues symbolize rebirth. It expresses hope that Maitreya Buddha will appear in the future.
Sang-in erected the five-story stone pagoda in 1969. It enshrines Buddha’s relics. Behind the Jijang Bosal hall is Jinyeonggak. It enshrines the portrait of Sang-in. She built the present-day Seollimsa.
Seollimsa offers a tranquil retreat. It allows visitors to reflect. Find inner peace. Next to Jinyeonggak is Samseonggak.
Samseonggak is unique. It features three signs. The center sign says “Cheontae-gak.” The left sign says “Chiseong-gak.” The right sign says “Samryeong-gak.”
Seollimsa, nestled on Suraksan Mountain, offers a peaceful escape. The 640-meter-high Suraksan Mountain is a great place to hike. You can also appreciate the temple’s beauty.
The hiking trail to the summit has steep sections. You can enjoy stunning views. Seollimsa invites you to discover serenity. Embrace the mountain’s embrace.