Chukseosa Temple, Bonghwa / 奉華文殊山鷲棲寺 / 봉화 문수산 축서사

Located on the western side of Mt. Munsusan, 1,207 meters above sea level, Chukseosa is a historical Buddhist temple.

The temple in Bonghwa-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, is said to have been founded by Uisang, one of the most eminent early Korean Buddhist monks in 673 AD, the 13th years of King Munmu of the Silla kingdom. 

One day at that time, the chief monk of a nearby temple named Jirimsa saw an auspicious daylight shining on the mountain side. He informed Uisangthe of this fact and climbed the mountain together to find Vairocana Buddha radiating. Thus, Uisang built the temple Chuseosa to enshrine the Buddha. 

In 867, the 7th year of King Kyeongmun of Silla, a Buddha Stupa was erected to inter 10 pieces of Buddha Sariras. 

At the time of reconstruction in 1705, the 31st year of King Sukjong during the Joseon Dynasty, there were six buildings, including the main hall, Gwangmyeongru Pavilion and three hermitages such as Dosolam and Cheonsuam. There is no detailed history since then.  

At the end of the Joseon Dynasty, a fire in the midst of the armed soldiers fighting against Japan to colonize Joseon burnt down almost all buildings. The present buildings are later rebuilt. But many cultural assets survived.

봉화 문수산 축서사 / 奉華文殊山鷲棲寺