 Chiljangsa Temple is said to be established by Priest
Jajang in the 5th year of the reign of Queen Seondeok
of the Shilla Empire (636). Records tell us that
National Priest Hyeso of the Goryeo Dynasty established
a cell called Hongjegwan where a monument stands today,
and the temple was completely reconstructed in the 5th
year of the reign of King Hyeonjong (1014년).
The
greatest beauty of Chiljangsa Temple is its faded color
patterns and the colorfully antiquated Main Building.
The building has gone through a lot, but its firm-looking
eaves show its dignity. Chiljangsa Temple is the background of the Legends
of the Seven Thieves and Priest Byeonghae, characters
in Hong, Myeong Hee’s historical novel Im, Ggeok Jeong.
Nahanjeon Building in front of the Monument of
National Priest Hyeso enshrines the avatars of seven
scholars, and is widely known as the place at which
Royal Secret Inspector Park, Mun Su prayed before he
passed the government examination.
Even today, many parents come to Nahanjeon Building
to pray for their children to pass the examinations.
The luxurious forest surrounding the temple makes it
particularly beautiful in autumn.
 (Chiljangsa Temple Buddhist Painting) ? National
Treasure No. 296 - Buddhist Painting is a large painting
that is hung high at Buddhist rituals for everyone to
see even from a distance. Chiljangsa Temple’s
Obulhoe Buddhist Painting is the third oldest Buddhist
painting in Korea. It was a group painting created
by Buddhist nun Beomhyeong in the 6th year of the reign
of Joseon King Injo (1628). Clouds are used to
divide the painting into top, middle, and bottom sections
for the proper arrangement of the characters. The
painting is moderately sized (6.56m in length and 4.04m
in width), but fascinates the Buddhist believers with
its sophisticated characters, delicate touches, and
splendid yet subtle colors. Unlike the usual linear
arrangement in Buddhist paintings from the Joseon Dynasty,
this Buddhist Painting arranges Buddhas in three different
layers. With its bright clouds and clear red costumes,
refined, sophisticated characters and stable layout,
and delicate touches, it is recognized as the leading
creation from the time and an important academic resource
for the studies of early 17th century Buddhist paintings.
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