Gangneung Gulsansa Temple Site

Gulsansa Temple is located about 6 km southwest of downtown Gangneung. It was founded by National Preceptor Beomil in the 9th year of King Munseong of Silla (847 AD) and was one of the nine main temples among the Five Doctrines and Nine Mountains, a Buddhist sect of Silla. The exact date of Gulsansa Temple's abandonment is uncertain, but it is estimated to have been around the end of the Goryeo Dynasty or the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty. The area around Gulsansa Temple has now been converted into farmland, so the exact size and layout of the temple are unknown, but it is said to have been the largest temple in the Yeongdong region. Currently, the Dangganjiju (flagpole supports) of Gulsansa Temple Site (Treasure) and the Stone Seated Buddha of Gulsansa Temple Site (Gangwon-do Cultural Heritage Material) remain here. There is also Hakbawi (Crane Rock) and Seokcheon (Stone Spring), which are associated with the birth legend of National Preceptor Beomil, giving a hint of the temple's scale during its time. Currently, Seokcheon was lost due to damage from Typhoon Rusa, and it has been temporarily restored.