Munsusa Temple (Iksan)

Munsusa Temple is a branch temple of Geumsansa Temple, the head temple of the 17th Diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located on Cheonhosan Mountain in Yeosan-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. Munsusa Temple is situated on Cheonhosan Mountain in Yeosan-myeon, the entrance from Chungcheong-do to Jeolla-do. Since ancient times, Cheonhosan Mountain has been revered as a sacred site where the three great bodhisattvas—Manjusri, Samantabhadra, and Avalokitesvara—descended to the secular world to enlighten sentient beings, and Munsusa Temple is regarded as the sacred site of Manjusri Bodhisattva, who resolves the afflictions and suffering of sentient beings and shines the light of bright wisdom according to vows.

Although it holds the history of being founded by Master Hyegam in 881 during the Silla period, it has undergone cycles of prosperity and decline over the long years, leaving only the reconstruction monument and stupa standing in the front yard of the temple to trace its old traces. At one time, it maintained its temple influence enough to have Baengnyeonam Hermitage, a nearby Avalokitesvara sanctuary, as an affiliated hermitage, but it nearly reached the brink of abandonment. Recently, with the appointment of Bhikkhuni Wongong as the head monk, the temple's appearance was renewed and reorganized into Geungnakjeon Hall, Myeongbujeon Hall, Samseonggak Hall, and Seonwon (meditation center).