Silsangsa

Meaning

On level ground beneath Jirisan, stone pagodas and lanterns of Unified Silla have stood for a thousand years, and the mountain's shadow settles quietly over the low stone walls.

A temple at the foot of Jirisan, said to have been founded in 828 by the master Hongcheok, and regarded as the home of the Silsang school — one of the Nine Mountain Schools through which Seon first took root in Korea in late Silla. At the nearby Baekjangam hermitage, a three-story stone pagoda and stone lantern of Unified Silla still stand — the pagoda a National Treasure and the lantern a designated Treasure of Korea.

Field notes

Location

Namwon · Jirisan · N35.4° · E127.6°

Best time

Toward sunset, when the stone pagodas cast long shadows.

Getting there

From Namwon, enter the foothills of Jirisan.

Etiquette

Quiet is appreciated before the Dharma hall, where worship continues.

Sources

• · 국가유산청(문화재청)
• · 한국민족문화대백과사전

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