신흥사 | Dale ' s Korean Temple Adventures 
 Tag Archives : 신흥사 
 Posted on December 9 , 2012 by dostoevsky _ 21 _ 81 
 Sinheungsa Temple – 신흥사 ( Yangsan , Gyeongsangnam - do ) 
 Just one of the mid 17 th century painting from inside Daegwangjeon Hall at Sinheungsa Temple . 
 Sinheungsa Temple ( 신흥사 ) means “ New Enjoyment ” Temple . And like all Korean temples , Sinheungsa Temple has a great story about why and how it was first built . According to legend , King Suro , the first king of the Gaya Confederation , was praying at the temple when he was advised that there was a poisonous dragon in a neighbouring jade pond . He was instructed to drive out this poisonous dragon from the countryside . So praying in earnest , the temple building stones turned to fish and drove the dragon out of the countryside and into the East Sea . That ’ s why now , if you knock on a stone in Sinheungsa Temple , it sounds like metal . I told you it was great ! 
 Sinheungsa Temple can be approached up an unevenly paved country road . About a 500 metre walk off the main road will bring you to the first gate at the temple . The gate is elaborately painted and is a good indication of what awaits you just up the road . Continuing up the road , and beside the neighbouring stream , you ’ ll cross over a bridge decorated with a head and body of a dragon . Tying into the creation of the temple , the dragon motif is strong at this temple . Across this bridge , you ’ ll first notice the visitor ’ s centre and walled - off compound . Behind these walls are the temple grounds . The entrance gate with the four heavenly kings is to your right . But don ’ t rush getting inside , because outside the walls there is plenty to see , like the beautiful stream and bridges . Interestingly , just outside the beautifully adorned second gate , is a pagoda with stones piled on top of it . Through the gateway , and past the four elaborately seated kings , is a beautiful view of the historic treasure : Daegwang - jeon Hall ( “ Great Light Hall ” ) . Daegwang - jeon Hall is the main hall at the temple . The construction of the temple dates back to 1657 . Outside , the temple building is a well - worn brown with the beautiful exterior paintings having been washed away . However , inside the hall , there are uniquely painted pictures of the Buddha , Guardian Spirits , and floral patterns . These paintings date back to the mid - 17 th century . 
 This is the centerpiece to the temple , but there are numerous other buildings that are equally beautiful in their design . When you initially walk into the temple grounds , you ’ ll notice the bell pavilion to your immediate left . This bell pavilion , like the bridge you first crossed over when entering the temple , is ornately decorated with dragons both inside and outside the building ’ s structure . Beside the bell pavilion is the temple ’ s Buddhist University . Plainly painted , there is an interesting painting of two scholars playing Baduk ( Korean checkers ) . And up the hill , to the left of the main hall , is the shrine dedicated to the mountain god , San Shin . There are some beautiful views of the neighbouring valley , and a great view of the temple complex . Strangely , to the immediate right of the main hall , is a mini - compound . At first , it almost looked like another dorm for the monks , but looks can be deceiving . With a newly built , yet to be painted , temple building with its back to you , head through the corridor to the left . As you enter though this corridor , you ’ ll first encounter a hall dedicated to Gwanseeum - bosal ( The Bodhisattva of Compassion ) . Like the entire temple , this hall has beautiful paintings decorating it both on the inside and outside of it . To the right of this hall , is the Judgment Hall . This building has four paintings that scarily depict what awaits the life of a sinner . Next to Songnimsa Temple in Daegu , Sinheungsa Temple has the scariest paintings detailing the afterlife for those that have sinned . Inside the Judgment Hall are some of the most unique paintings I have seen at any temple in Korea . These paintings are so unique that I ’ ve never seen ones coming close to them . 
 HOW TO GET THERE : Outside of owning a car , or paying a huge amount to a taxi driver , Sinheungsa Temple is nearly impossible to get to . But if there ’ s a will there ’ s a way . To get to Sinheungsa Temple follow Local Road Number 1022 for 24 kilometres outside of Yangsan . And then from there , follow the Wondong / Yongpo - ri for another 5 kilometres . Good luck , and happy hunting ! For more information check out Yangsan city website . 
 View 신흥사 in a larger map 
 OVERALL RATING : 8 . 5 / 10 . I was expecting something small , like Garamsa Temple , but Sinheungsa Temple was a very pleasant surprise . Housing some 10 temple buildings that are all beautifully and elaborately decorated , Sinheungsa Temple rates as one of the best temples I have visited for their temple painting , such as the Judgment Hall , the San Shin shrine hall , the bell pavilion , and the second gate . Added to this is the historically and architecturally important Daegwang - jeon Hall , and you have a temple that is well worth the effort to find . 
 The valley where Sinheungsa Temple is housed . 
 The first gate that welcomes you to Sinheungsa Temple . 
 Just a couple of the unique paintings from inside the first gate . 
 The dragon bridge that spans the slowly moving stream . Knowing the myth behind the creation of the temple really helps you understand why there are just so many around the temple . 
 Another beautiful stone bridge that spans the stream through the trees . 
 A view of the visitors centre and the stone rail that leads up to it . The stone rail is decorated with dragons , toads , and signs of enlightenment . 
 The elaborately decorated second gate with a view of the 17 th century Daegwangjeon Hall inside . 
 An extremely unique door handle adorning the second gate . 
 A painting of one of the guardians adorning the second gate . All of the temple buildings were adorned with beautiful and unique paintings . 
 A view of the bell pavilion . 
 A look up in the rafters in the bell pavilion reveals even more dragons . 
 A view of the temple ’ s university , the dorms , and the shrine hall dedicated to San Shin ( the Mountain God ) . 
 Two scholars playing a game of Baduk ( Korean checkers ) . It ’ s situated on the southern wall of the university . 
 A better look at the shrine hall dedicated to Sanshin . 
 On one of the exterior shrine hall walls is this realistic painting of a tiger . It appears through the trees . 
 And this rather odd painting also appears on the exterior walls of the shrine hall . 
 This unique painting appears on the inside of the shrine hall . 
 The amazing view of the temple compound from the shrine hall . On the left is Daegwangjeon , and in the middle is the Judgment Hall , and to the right is the second gate . 
 The altar pieces inside the historic Daegwangjeon Hall . The Hall dates back to 1657 . 
 Some more of the paintings that date back to the mid - 17 th century . They ’ ve seen better days , but they ’ re still quite amazing ! This specific image is of a guardian . 
 This painting depicts different incarnations of the Buddha . It is situated on the left side of the main hall wall . 
 This painting of guardians is extremely unique . I ’ m not too sure if I ’ ve ever seen a guardian look anything close to this one . 
 And blended with the old , is this dynamic painting in the main hall of the various guardians . 
 Through this corridor is the hall for Gwanseheum Bosal ( the Goddess of Mercy ) to the left , the Judgment Hall in the middle , and a yet to be finished hall to the right . 
 A statue of Gwanseheum Bosal is the main altar piece inside the hall that bears the gods name . 
 Just one of the many unique paintings on the exterior of the Gwanseheum Bosal shrine hall . 
 Just one of the scary pictures that adorns the exterior of the Judgment Hall at the temple . Next to Songnimsa Temple in Daegu , Sinheungsa Temple has the second scariest paintings depicting the afterlife of a sinner . 
 Be careful of what you say , as the individual in this painting finds out . 
 Inside the the Judgment Hall is an ornate altar and Jijang Bosal ( The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife ) at its centre . 
 One of the more unique paintings inside the Judgment Hall . I won ’ t even try to explain what it means . Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated . 
 Another of the paintings from inside the Judgment Hall . It seems more appropriate for Harry Potter . Again , not even going to hazard a guess . 
 Posted in Gyeongsangnam - do 	 | Tagged Gyeongsangnam - do , Korean Buddhism , Korean temples , Sinheungsa Temple , Yangsan , 신흥사 	 | 1 Reply