TEMPLE GAPSA (KAPSA)

This temple was founded in 420 by the monk Ado of Goguryeo who traveled to Korea to spread Buddhism. It was rebuilt in 556, and became one of the ten centers of the Hwaeom sect located in Korea by the monk Uisang. Redone in 887, it was destroyed by the Japanese. Rebuilt shortly after 1604, most of his buildings date from that time. It houses several unique treasures. The courtyard dates from the middle of Joseon. The main hall Daeungjeon dates back to 1604. Not far away is the Samseonggak pavilion dedicated to the three Shamanico Buddhist deities: the seven stars, the god of the mountain (Sansin) and the solitary ascete. There is a three story stone pagoda dating back to 1659, where the history of the temple foundation is inscribed. A bronze bell dating back to 1584 is also preserved. In one of the halls, a hundred of the 1569 xylography boards contain two sutras. Below is the Byeochungwon Shrine (1738), where the portraits of three monks-soldiers who were portrayed in defense of the country against the Japanese in 1592 are preserved: Seosan, Sa-myeong, Yeonggyu. In the back of the temple, you can see budo or reliquary sari from different olive masters. To the right of the temple, towards the torrent, other structures are also interesting. A beautiful traditional tea salon overlooks the torrent. There is also a statue of Yaksa Yeorae, the Medical Buddha, dating from Goryeo. We can leave the mountain to the hermitages, the waterfall and Donghaksa. Lower, away, the Daejeokjeon Hall is dedicated to Vairocana.

Before, in the clearing, there is a very beautiful sari budo octogonal finely sculpted. Its shape is original and it dates from the beginning of Goryeo. The trail that descends from the trees leads to another clearing where a mast stands for the temple flag. This iron pole, composed of twenty-four cylinders (twenty-eight originally, but four were destroyed in 1899) date of Silla (680). It was prepared by Uisang and it is one of the few monuments of this kind still in place in a temple. Under Silla, all temples had a similar mast on which flags and banners were hung. Then we descend along the torrent in a pretty valley. We pass in front of a charming minbak that also makes restaurant, isolated in front of the water. If you want to stay at the temple, it's the place par excellence. If not, you will find the usual yeogwans and restaurants, not unpleasant. There is also a campground.