Donghaksa Temple

SOUTH KOREA, South Chungcheong, Gongju

Donghaksa means East Crane Temple. It is the oldest existing temple for the Bhiksuni Order in South Korea. The first structure at the site was a hermitage built by Master Sangwon. His disciple, Master Hoeui, built the temple in 724 during the United Silla dynasty and named it Sangwonsa, in honor of this teacher. The temple was given its present name in the first half of the 10th century. The buildings were largely destroyed during the Korean War (1950–1953) and were rebuilt after 1960.
The buildings within the temple include the One Pillar Gate, Great Hero Hall, Hall of the Three Sages, Three Eun Shrine, Hall of Respect and Admiration, and three-tier stone pagoda, as well as the lecture hall and meditation hall for the bhiksunis. The Great Hero Hall has a single-eave hip-and-gable roof and is three bays wide. There are two stone lanterns in front of Great Hero Hall. The Three Eun Shrine was built during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) to commemorate three loyal officials, who were also well-known scholars. The shrine derives its name from their pen names: Poeun, Mogeun, and Yaeun.