Hwaeomsa Temple

On the nation’s holy mountain Jirisan Mountain, there are many temples, and the grandest temple among them is Hwaeomsa Temple. According to the history of Hwaeomsa Temple, it was built by Yeongi (緣起: relationship rise), an Indian monk, in the fifth year of the reign of King Jinheung (AD544) during the Silla Kingdom. However, Donggukyeojiseungram, a geographical book written in the Joseon Kingdom, reveals that this temple was founded by another monk, Yeongi (煙氣: smoke), without a pinpointed date of foundation. In the 10th year of the reign of King Munmu (AD670) during the Silla Kingdom, the great monk Uisangdaesa renovated Hwaeomsa Temple, building Jangyukjeon Hall and inscribing the Hwaeomgyeong Sutra on its wall.