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Geumsansa Temple - 금산사 (金山寺) (founded 599, rebuilt 16th century onward)

Founded in the first year of King Beop of Baekje's reign (599), Geumsansa became the main temple for practicing the Maitreya faith during the Unified Silla era. The Master Jinpyo, a preceptor of Buddhist ordinances and the founder of the Beopsang Buddhist sect, greatly expanded the monastery in the second year of King Hyegong of Silla's reign (76) and enshrined the statue of the great Maitreya in the main hall. It is also recorded that Geumsansa once served as the site of Gyeonhwon's exile, when the founder of Late Baekje was banished by his son, Prince Singeom. In the 33rd year of King Munjong's reign (1079), the Royal Preceptor Hyedeok erected various additional sanctuaries and heralded Geumsansa's cultural golden age. Geumsansa also played a defensive role--in the first set of military campaigns of Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1592), Geumsansa served as the training ground for the Buddhist volunteer corps of over a thousand monks led by Master Noemuk. During the second set of Japanese military campaigns, Geumsansa became the headquarters for the mobilization of Buddhist volunteer corps but subsequently suffered a tragic fate when the entire temple pavilion and outlying hermitages were razed to the ground in the fire set by the invading forces.

The campaign to restore Geumsansa was undertaken in the 34th year of King Seonjo's reign near the end of the Joseon dynasty. Over a period of thirty-five years, a number of monks succeeded in reconstructing the administrative sections of the main pavilion. It is here that Master Chian officiated over a general assembly of the Hweom Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra) during the last years of the Joseon dynasty. Geumsansa was also the residence of numerous Buddhist worthies including the martyred Master Yongmyeong.

The venerable Wolju, who devoted his life to reviving Korean Buddhist faith, was appointed abbot of Geumsansa in 1961. During his term they oversaw the completion of numerous restoration projects and new additions.

Today, the temple continues to play a vital role in promoting the teachings of the Maitreya Buddha.

According to GPS readings taken by the author, the site sits at 35 43.36388' N, 127 03.18194' E (WGS84 map datum). Address: 전북 김제시 금산면 금산리 39 금산사.

(The main hall is designated Treasure #827).