Hangul 백양사 Revised Romanization Baegyangsa Province South Jeolla Province | Hanja 白羊寺 McCune–Reischauer Paegyangsa Phone +82 61-392-7502 | |
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Address 1236 Baegyang-ro, Bukha-myeon, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea Similar Naejangsan, Baegamsan, Seonunsa, Songgwangsa, Seonamsa | ||
Baegyangsa, also spelled Baegyangsa, is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is situated in Bukha-myeon, Jangseong County, in South Jeolla province, South Korea. Built in 632 under the Baekje kingdom, it lies on the slopes of Baegam-san in Naejangsan National Park.
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History
Baeyangsa was established by Zen Master Yeohwan in 632 AD. The temple's original name was Baegamsa. In the Goryeo Dynasty, it was called Jeongtosa. In Korean, Jeongto is the same concept of heaven as in Christianity. The name of the temple means "white sheep," and refers to a legend from the Goryeo period in which a white sheep came down from the mountain to listen to a sermon and was sufficiently enlightened that it was able to ascend into Paradise.
In the Japanese occupation era the temple was recognized as one of the main temples in the Korean peninsula. It belongs to the Chogye Order at the present time. These days, a large role has been given to Baegyang Temple for educating monks around Jeolla province.
Forests
Large numbers of Torreya nucifera grow around Baegyang Temple. This area is one of the northernmost areas where Torreya nucifera can grow in the Korean peninsula.
Transportation
Train is the best vehicle for reaching Baegyangssa temple. Many trains stop at Baegyangsa station except for KTX.