Geumseonsa Temple

Bukhansan, officially designated a national park, is the highest mountain in the Seoul area. Beloved not only for its unique urban location, the mountain is also treasured for its natural beauty and cultural assets. Also known as Samgaksan (meaning “Triangle Mountain”), Bukhansan has three major peaks: Baegundae (the main peak), Insubong to the north, and Mangyeongdae to the south.

One of the most prized cultural assets on the mountain is Geumseonsa, a Buddhist temple located along the hiking path to Bibong (one of the lesser mountain peaks). The temple was established by Great Monk Jacho (penname ‘Muhak’) who lived from 1327 (late Goryeo period) to 1405 (early Joseon period).

One day when Monk Jacho was out searching for a suitable place to establish the capital of the new Joseon dynasty, he came across a plot of land and was immediately struck by a strange and sacred energy. Recognizing that the land was full of the energy of Buddha himself, the monk set about the establishment of Geumseonsa Temple.

Even today, Geumseonsa is known as a place of miracles and legends. One of the more famous tales is of Monk Nongsan, who trained and meditated at Geumseonsa and was later said to have been reincarnated as King Sunjo of the Joseon Dynasty.