Donghwasa Temple (동화사) is located on the south side of Palgongsan Mountain, about 22km northeast of Daegu. It was built by Monk Geukdal in the 15th year of King Soji’s reign (reign 493, 21st king during the Silla period). The original name of the temple was Yugasa, but Simjiwangsa rebuilt the temple under King Heungdeok (reign 826~836) and named it Donghwasa, which means even during the winter season, the paulownia tree still blooms. The present temple was last rebuilt in 1732.When you turn the corner, the first thing that catches your eye is the Seolbeopjeon Building. To the left of Seolbeopjeon is Daeungjeon, the main temple, and to the right of the building leads to the Geumgang Stairs. If you turn left in the direction of Daeungjeon you will see Bongseoru, aptly named to signify a Bonghwang (phoenix) with its tail pointed downward. Past Bongseoru are stairs that are typical of the ones leading into Daeungjeon, called "Nugak Stairs". On either side of the stairs are railings in the shape of a dragon, and in the middle of the stairs, there is a round stone marble that resembles a Yeouiju (or a dragon orb), a ball often associated with dragons.Donghwasa’s Daeungjeon is segmented into 3 sections at the front and side, and its natural looking pillars are one of its main attractions. It includes the statues of Seokgamonibul, Amitabul, and Yaksayeoraebul inside. If you walk down the stone stairs beside Bongseoru and walk along the cement road for a while, you will find the huge Seokjoyaksa Yeoraebul. Created as a prayer for reunification, this large Buddha statue is 17m high. The stone tower, stone light, lion statue, and the lotus flower that decorate the Buddha statue are all very large in size. Behind the statue are also stones arranged in a circular form, resembling a beautiful scroll painting. These are world-class size stone artifacts.
