Ansan cultural Heritage- Ssanggyesa Temple

   May. 1st (sat)- Ssanggyesa Temple 

 

Ssanggyesa Temple

 Hello, everyone~! This is Sang-Eun koo, nice too meet you! Did your guys know about Ssanggyesa Temple(쌍계사) which are places in Daebu Island, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do? Ssanggyesa Temple was established at 1689 and was called Sujeongam(수정암) at the time of its foundation, but it is the only traditional temple in Ansan that is presumed to have been built in 1576 based on the excavation of roof tiles made in 1576. There are no facilities around, so it boasts a beautiful and quiet landscape. Also, when you enter Daebudo Island to go to Ssanggyesa Temple, it is fun to see Sihwa Lake on the left, and you can see the endless horizon of the sea on the right, making you feel like you are floating on the sea. 

Road to Ssanggyesa Temple

Ssanggyesa Temple is composed of Daegeumsan Mountain, the low mountain of Daebudo Island, and there is a strange type of rock in the right corner where mineral water is constantly rising. This mineral water is also closely related to the story of Ssanggyesa Temple.

 When ambassador Chihul  taking a short break on the middle of the ridge while passing Daebudo Island, he fell asleep. At that time, he dreamed of five dragons rising into the sky, and when he woke up and dug up the place, clear water rose from underneath the dragon rock. The monk thought this was the teachings of the Buddha, founded a hermitage, and called it Jeongsuam rock, meaning that the water is clear. Also, this mineral has a lot of iron and carbonated water, which is said to be special for various diseases such as stomach and skin diseases, so many people use it. 

This is Jeongsuam rock

  Additionally, I will introduce the wooden statue of Buddha in the Joseon Dynasty, which is enshrined in the Geungnakbojeon Hall of Ssanggyesa Temple. Unlike the typical form of Buddha statues in the late Joseon Dynasty, 'Wooden Buddha Seated' is a cultural asset that shows the characteristics of Buddha sculptures in the province with differences in the treatment of the right shoulder and back. The width of the wooden seat is 52.5cm and the height of the body of a Buddha statue is 92.0cm, and the head is leaning forward on the narrow shoulder. The head is closely shaped like a conch, and the cassia bark symbolizing wisdom rises high. It has an oval face, a broad forehead, long enough for the ears to fall over the shoulders, and has an angle between the eyelids and the brow, which is said to be the typical face of Buddha statues made in the late Joseon Period. 

wooden Buddha seated (front)

wooden Buddha Seated (side)