Tongdosa Temple

Tongdosa is one of Korea's three jewel temples — specifically the "Buddha jewel" temple, said to enshrine an authentic relic of the Buddha.

According to temple records, its name carries three layered meanings: that the mountain where it stands echoes Vulture Peak in India, where the Buddha delivered his teachings; that anyone seeking to become a monk must pass through its ordination platform (Geumganggyedan); and that all truths converge here to liberate all sentient beings.

According to the Samguk Yusa, the Silla monk Jajang founded Tongdosa on royal order after studying Buddhist teachings in Tang China and being appointed the kingdom's chief monastic authority, and he oversaw monastic discipline and spread Buddhist teachings widely from here. The Geumganggyedan ordination platform, where the Buddha's relic is enshrined, is the reason Tongdosa carries the title of "Buddha jewel" temple.

In 2018, Tongdosa was inscribed, along with six other Korean temples, on the UNESCO World Heritage list as "Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea." Simply walking the pine-lined path from the entrance gate gives a sense of why this has long been cherished as a place of practice.

Several hermitages of varying size — including Jajangam, Seounam, and Geungnakam — are attached to the temple grounds, worth exploring together if you have the time.