Jikjisa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is located on the slopes of Hwangaksan in Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon, in the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do.
A popular time to visit the temple is during October and November when the leaves are changing colors.
[edit] History
Jikjisa is located in the foothills of Hwangaksan and is said to be originally built in the year 418 by Goguryeo monk Ado. According to legend, after having built Dorisa temple in nearby Gumi, Ado raised his hand and pointed directly at a mountain in the west and said that looked to be a good site for a temple. In Chinese, Jikjisa translates to 'pointing directly', which is where the name of the temple originated.
During the Shilla Dynasty, it was renovated by Master Jajang in the year 645 and also by the great monk Cheonmuk in the year 930. During the Goryeo Dynasty, it received a broad expansion in 936 by the great monk Neungyeo. During the Joseon Dynasty, the famous monk Samyeong stayed at the temple, which it made it very popular throughout the country. During the Seven Year War in the 1590s between Korea and Japan, Jikjisa was focused on and near completely devastated by the Japanese, specifically for the reason that Samyeong began his monk life at the temple and spent much of his life there.
During that war, 40 buildings were burned down, leaving only One Pillar Gate, Four Guardians Gate, and Vairochana Buddha Hall still intact. The rebuilding lasted from 1610 to about 1670. It was not until the 1960s that people began to extensively revive the past glory of the temple.
The main buildings include the main hall of Daeungjeon, Avalokitesvara Hall, Memorial Hall of great monk Samyeong, the hall of Arahats, the Judgement Hall, and the Medicine Buddha Hall. Further up in the mountain of Hwangaksan, remain Jikjisa hermitages such as Jungam, Unsuam, Baegnyeonam, Eunseonam, Samseongnam, and Bukam.
[edit] Jikji Buddhist Art Museum
The Jikji Buddhist At Museum was opened in 1996 as a culture and research center for the 8th diocese of the Jogye Buddhist order. The museum contains numerous artifacts ranging from Buddhist books, sculptures, and paintings, but also the following National Treasures:
- The hexagon gilded bronze reliquary of Dorisa (National Treasure #268)
- The bronze temple bell of Gimnyong temple (National Treasure #11-2)
- A seated stone Arahat.
- A gilded bronze Tathagata.
- A gilded bronze lock of Hancheonsa (National Treasure #1141)
- A seated stone healing Buddha of Jikjisa (National Treasure #319)
[edit] Temple Stay
Jikjisa offers temple stay opportunities for overnight and weekend visits. The rates are 30,000won per day and include food and rooms. Jikjisa does not have an english translator available for temple stay, however, if you are planning to attend with a group of over 10 and you make the reservation in advance, they will arrange to have an english translator stay at the temple during your time there.
[edit] Hiking Route
There is a hiking trail that runs from Jikjisa Temple to Unsuam hermitage, and then on to the peak of Hwangaksan, before circling back through East Valley and to Jikjisa, once again. The trek is about 12km and requires about 5 hours.
[edit] Directions
Jikjisa is relatively well-connected to train and bus service. Jikjisa Station is located at the foot of the mountain, along the Gyeongbu Line railroad. It is served only by the local commuter trains, which run twice daily in each direction.
From Gimcheon, you can take city bus #11 or #111. The buses run every 10 minutes and will take about 25 minutes to get to the temple.
From Gyeongbu Expressway No.1, exit at Gimcheon I.C., then transfer to National Road No.4. From Gimcheon Station, it'll be 8km to the entrance of Jikjisa Temple.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] External links
