Geonbongsa Temple

Geonbongsa Temple in Geumgangsan is an ancient temple located on the southeastern slope of Gamnobong Peak, where the Geumgangsan mountain range begins, and enshrines a true relic of the Buddha's tooth. Once a large temple with as many as 3,183 rooms, it was completely destroyed during the Korean War, leaving only the Bulimun Gate. Restoration work began in 1994, and it has reached its current state. It is also a patriotic temple that served as a base for monk soldiers during the Imjin War and as a center for the anti-Japanese independence movement during the Japanese colonial period.

It is said that in the 7th year of King Beopheung of Silla (520), the monk Ado first built a temple here under the name Wongaksa. In the 17th year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla (758), the monk Baljing rebuilt the temple and held a Manilhoe, a practice of reciting the Buddha's name for 10,000 days, which became the origin of Korea's Yeombul Manilhoe (a Buddhist ritual of reciting the Buddha's name for 10,000 days to pray for rebirth in the Pure Land).