HAEDONG YONGGUNGSA
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Temple on the sea cliffs northeast of Busan, one of the sacred places dedicated to the great goddess Sea Buddha.
If there's one must-visit temple, it's undeniably Haedong Yonggungsa. As well as being original, its location is truly heavenly. It stands on the cliffs along the sea to the north-east of Busan. It was built in 1376 by the venerable Naong. Haesu Gwaneum Daebul (great Buddha goddess of the sea), is said to have appeared to him in a dream and told him to build a temple. This temple is one of three sacred sites now dedicated to her. This is probably why the osmosis between the temple and the sea on this site is so beautiful. Unfortunately, it was partly destroyed during the Imjin war, but was rebuilt in 1930. Before arriving at the temple, you pass by twelve statues representing the Chinese zodiac signs. A little further on, you can contemplate an immense, sumptuous seven-storey pagoda with details of rare finesse. Afterwards, you climb the 108 steps that symbolize, in Buddhism, the 108 illusions of the mind. The temple's statues include Yaksayore-bul (Medicine Buddha), the smiling Jigang-bosal (Bodhisvatta after death) and, close to the sea, the sumptuous statue of the Great Goddess Buddha Gwaneum Daebul. In the middle of the temple, you can visit the Gulbeop shrine. It is located in a cellar, and the water found there is said to have healing powers. This temple is a real gem and should be added to the top of your bucket list.
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