Baekyangsa
Encyclopedia
Baekyangsa, also spelled Baegyangsa, is a head temple of the Jogye Order
of Korean Buddhism
. It is situated in Bukha-myeon, Jangseong County
, in South Jeolla province, South Korea
. Built in 632 under the Baekje
kingdom, it lies on the slopes of Baegam-san in Naejangsan National Park
.
. The name of the temple means "white sheep," and refers to a legend from the Goryeo
period in which a white sheep came down from the mountain to listen to a sermon, and was sufficiently enlightened that it was able to ascend into Paradise.
In Japanese occupation era, the temple was recognized as one of the main temples in the Korean peninsula. It belongs to Chogye order at the present time. These days, large role was allocated in Baekyang temple for educating monks around Jeolla
area.
Jogye Order
The Jogye Order, officially the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is the representative order of traditional Korean Buddhism with roots that date back 1,200 years to Unified Silla National Master Doui, who brought Seon and the practice taught by the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng, from China about 820...
of Korean Buddhism
Korean Buddhism
Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism. Early Korean monks believed that the traditions they received from foreign countries were internally inconsistent. To address this, they developed a new...
. It is situated in Bukha-myeon, Jangseong County
Jangseong County
Jangseong County is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.-Location:Jangseong is southern region of Korean peninsula and Gwangju and Naju is the nearest city from Jangseong....
, in South Jeolla province, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Built in 632 under the Baekje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
kingdom, it lies on the slopes of Baegam-san in Naejangsan National Park
Naejangsan National Park
Naejangsan National Park is located in the provinces of Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do, South Korea. It was designated as the 8th national park in 1971. It is named after the mountain Naejangsan. The park is home to a total of 919 plant species and 1,880 animal species. 12 of the animals are...
.
History
Baeyangsa was established by Yeohwan zen master. Its original name was Baekam sa. In Goryeo dynasty, it was called Jeong-to sa. In Korean, Jeongto is the same concept as the heaven of ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. The name of the temple means "white sheep," and refers to a legend from the Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
period in which a white sheep came down from the mountain to listen to a sermon, and was sufficiently enlightened that it was able to ascend into Paradise.
In Japanese occupation era, the temple was recognized as one of the main temples in the Korean peninsula. It belongs to Chogye order at the present time. These days, large role was allocated in Baekyang temple for educating monks around Jeolla
Jeolla
Jeolla was a province in southwestern Korea, one of the historical Eight Provinces of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. It consisted of the modern South Korean provinces of North Jeolla, South Jeolla and the Special City of Gwangju as well as Jeju Island...
area.
Forests
Large amounts of Torreya nucifera grow around Baekyang temple. This area is one of the northern most areas where Torreya nucifera can grow in the Korean peninsula.Transportation
Train is the best vehicle for reaching Baekyangssa temple. Many trains stop at Baekyangsa station except for KTX.See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- Buddhist temples in South Korea
- Religion in South KoreaReligion in South KoreaThe predominant religions in South Korea are the traditional Buddhist faith and a large and growing Christian population...