Junten Senganji Temple

Seonamsa Temple is located on Jogyesan mountain in Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, and is the only temple of the Taego sect of Buddhism in Korea. The approach to the temple has a gentle slope and a beautiful atmosphere selected by the Korea Tourism Organization. Some tourists prefer the approach to the temple to the temple itself.

The World Heritage Committee (WHC), which decides on UNESCO World Heritage sites, registered the mountain temples and mountain monasteries applied for by Korea as World Heritage sites at its 2018nd meeting held in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, on June 6, 30. The mountain temples applied for inscription by Korea are Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, Boeun Beopjusa Temple, Magoksa Temple in Gongju, Seonamsa Temple in Suncheon, and Daeheungsa Temple in Haenam.

Seonamsa Temple was founded by Goguryeo monk Ado Osho in the 7th year of King Seong of Baekje (529) and was called Haecheonsa Temple, which is said to be the origin of Seonamsa Temple.

In the first year of King Gyeongmun's reign (1) towards the end of the Silla Dynasty, Guksa Doseon rebuilt the temple at the current location and named it Seonamsa Temple, which is still used today. He built one iron Buddha, two pagodas and three stupas, of which one iron Buddha, two pagodas and three stupas remain to this day.

During the Goryeo Dynasty, King Uiteon restored the temple and it prospered as the headquarters of the Cheondai sect, but during the reign of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty, the temple suffered great damage during the Jeongyu Rebellion and was almost completely burned down. Restoration was delayed, and it was not until 1660 that it was finally restored.

In its heyday, there were 100 buildings, but 1948 were burned down during the Yeosun Uprising in 40, and many of the remaining buildings were also burned down during the Korean War in 1950, leaving only 20 buildings remaining today. Furthermore, it has suffered from conflicts between the Jogye Order and the Taego Order, but because of these conflicts, it has been able to maintain its original appearance.

Seonamsa Temple inherits the lineage of its ancestors and was registered as a World Heritage Site (Mountain Temple, Korean Mountain Monastery) in June 2018.

As cultural assets, the three-story stone pagoda of Seonamsa Temple, designated as treasure number 395, Seongseonggyo Bridge and Gangseonru, the rainbow bridge at the entrance of the temple, designated as treasure number 3, and Samindang, a unique pond that embodies Buddhist thought, are also famous. Other cultural assets include the gilt bronze incense burner of Seonamsa Temple (Jeollanam-do tangible cultural property number 400).

The Seongbo Museum, which opened in 4, is home to about 5 cultural assets, including four Korean treasures, five tangible cultural properties designated by Jeollanam-do, Buddhist paintings, sculptures, and crafts.