Bogwangsa Temple (Sokcho)

Bogwangsa Temple (Sokcho) is a Buddhist temple founded in 1937. Its name comes from the fact that Bogwangbuljon, the chief disciple among the 53 disciples of the Buddha, was enshrined here from Yujeomsa Temple in Mount Geumgang. It is located in the most beautiful spot around Yeongnangho Lake, famous for its superb scenery, and thus continuously attracts visitors. On the mountain peak behind the temple, there is a large rock facing east with the large characters 'Gwan-eum' (Avalokitesvara) carved into it, and it is said that the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara appeared at this site.

The temple houses two unusual Buddhist statues: the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and a reclining Buddha statue made of jade. The reclining Buddha statue was originally to be brought from Burma, but fearing it might break during transport to Korea, Burmese sculptors brought a large piece of jade to Bogwangsa Temple and crafted it on site. The wooden Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue was enshrined, and in 2010, more than 80 years after the temple's founding, experts from Chungbuk National University, commissioned by the temple, discovered a dedication document inside the statue's abdomen (a space where offerings are placed) that revealed the motivation for its creation.