Daeheungsa is believed to date to the Three Kingdoms period, although no exact record of its founding has survived some think Daeheungsa was founded by Adohwasang in 514. Originally this temple was called Handeumjeol, after the mountain's original name, Mount Handeum. Chinese characters were eventually used, which caused it to be called Daedum, and from there the name changed again to Daeheungsa. The mountain's name was later changed to Mount Duryun. Daeheungsa received little attention until 1592 when Seosan Daesa organized and trained a guerilla army of 5,000 monks at the temple, to help defend the Korean people during the Imjin War.
Treasures
Cultural Properties #48
Daeheungsabungmireugammaaeyeoraejwasang is a rock cliff Buddha carved out of a large natural wall of rock, believed to date from the early years of the Goryeo Dynasty, based on the overall sculpture style and by the way the lower part of the body is out of proportion with the larger upper part. The mudra, or symbolic hand gesture, is that of expelling devils. The robe is tied on the left shoulder which is rather uncommon. One distinctive feature of this Buddha statue is the beobeui, typical of this era. The hands look weak and the form of the legs is very awkward.
Treasure #320
Three Storied Stone Pagoda of Daeheungsa is a 4.3 meter/14.1 foot high stone pagoda typical of the Silla Dynasty period that stands in front of Eungjinjeon. This pagoda is very neat and elegant in its construction.
Treasure #1347
Stupa of Seosan Dasae of Daeheungasa is the reliquary for preserving the sarira of the monk Seosan Dasae. He is renowned as the monk who lead an army that defeated invading Japanese forces. This 2.6 meter/8.5 foot high stupa is believed to have been erected in 1648.
Features
Daeheungsa is very famous for the long walkway to the entrance which wanders through a beautiful forest at the foot of Duryun Mountain. Inside Cheonbuljeon can be seen 1,000 smiling Buddha statues. The tiny Buddhas represent the Buddha that is omnipresent any time in the past, present, and future as well as that anyone can be a Buddha anytime anyplace. Records indicate that Cheonbuljeon burned down in 1811 and was rebuilt in 1813. The temple is known as a historical center of Korean tea culture.
