Baekdam Temple

Baekdamsa
백담사
Baekdamsa Temple in South Korea
Shown within South Korea
Basic information
Location	746 Baekdam-ro Inje-gun Gangwon Province (Korean: 강원도 인제군 북면 백담로 746)
Geographic coordinates	38°09′53.0″N 128°22′25.9″E / 38.164722°N 128.373861°E / 38.164722; 128.373861Coordinates: 38°09′53.0″N 128°22′25.9″E / 38.164722°N 128.373861°E / 38.164722; 128.373861
Affiliation	Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism
Country	South Korea

Baekdamsa (백담사) is a Buddhist temple in Inje County, Gangwon province, South Korea. It was originally built in the 7th century, but because of war and natural disasters has been rebuilt numerous times since then. The present version was completed in 1957. Additionally, the name has also changed over time. Originally called Hangyesa, the new name reflects the "100 pits from Daecheongbong Peak to the temple".

Tranquil Temple Deep in Inner Seorak Mountain

Baekdamsa Temple (Korean: 백담사, Chinese: 百潭寺, Pronounced “Baek-dam-sa”) was established by Ven. Jajang Yulsa in 647 in Hangye-ri under the name Hangyesa (寒溪寺) Temple. After its founding, the name changed several times to Unheungsa, Samwonsa, Seongusa and Yeongchwisa. Finally in 1783, Choe Bung and Ven. Undam renamed it Baekdamsa Temple, the name still used today, literally meaning “Hundred Pool Temple.” This is because 100 natural pools are claimed to be near the temple fed by water from Daecheongbong Peak.

Situated in the remote area of Inner Seorak, Baekdamsa Temple is very secluded from the secular world, making it a natural place for Buddhist practice. Han Yong-un (aka Manhae) was ordained here. Ven. Undam attained enlightenment and then he wrote such great works as Joseonbulgyo yusinnon (朝鮮佛敎維新論; Reformation of Joseon Buddhism), Siphyeondam juhae (十玄談註解; Commentary on the Ten Profound Verses) and a poetry collection titled Nimui chimmuk (Silence of My Beloved). Unlike Outer Seorak, which is relatively busy and crowded, Inner Seorak is quiet and has much unexplored terrain and primitive forests. Situated at the entrance to Inner Seorak, Baekdamsa Temple oversees nearby hermitages like Bongjeongam Hermitage and Oseam Hermitage located in remote folds of the mountains.

At Baekdamsa Temple, there are monuments and Dharma halls related to Han Yong-un, such as the statue and poetry stele of Manhae, Manhae Memorial Hall, and Manhae Educational Hall. Recently, Baekdamsa Temple was designated a Gibon Seonwon (Foundational Seon Temple) and established a special meditation center named Mumungwan. There, a practitioner can lock himself/herself in a room and practice meditation alone, without leaving, for a fixed period of time. In this way the temple has made itself a refuge for young monks who only want to concentrate on Seon meditation practice.

Cultural Heritage of Baekdamsa and Nearby Tourist Attractions Baekdamsa Temple has one state-designated cultural item: a Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha (Treasure No. 1182). Enshrined in the Paradise Hall (Geungnak-bojeon), the statue was produced in 1748 when the temple was relocated from nearby Hangyesa. It is considered an excellent example of early 18th century wood-carving.