Mireuk Temple Site in Iksan, South Korea｜The Buddhist Zen Rhyme Sedimented in the Millennium

[Fire] In Giyang, Geumma-myeon, Iksan City, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea, there is a Buddhist holy place with a thousand-year history - the Mireuksa Temple. It is like a shining pearl in the long river of history, exuding a unique and mysterious charm, attracting many tourists to explore that ancient and glorious time. 🎈 The history of Maitreya Temple is long. According to the Samguk Yusa, the 30th king of Baekje, King Sutongmu (600-641 AD), married Princess Sunhwa of Silla. On their way to Mt. Maitreya, three Maitreya statues appeared from a lotus pond, and King Mu built this magnificent temple. During the Baekje era, Mireuksa Temple was a large-scale garam temple and a national-level temple at the time. Its status was very prominent. Its scale was even larger than that of Hwangnyongsa Temple in Silla. The area surrounded by corridors demonstrated its majesty and solemnity. However, with the changes of history, Maitreya Temple has also experienced vicissitudes. It continued to exist during the Goryeo Dynasty, but during the Joseon Dynasty, due to the policy of "suppressing Buddhism and promoting Confucianism", its importance declined and its area was greatly reduced. In the 17th and 18th centuries, around the time of the Imjin War, Mireuksa Temple was gradually closed and then abandoned, leaving only the collapsed stone pagoda. 😌 The current site of Maitreya Temple still has many attractions worth seeing. The first to bear the brunt is the 14.24-meter-high Mireuksa Stone Pagoda, which is the tallest and largest stone pagoda in South Korea and has been listed as South Korea's 11th National Treasure. After restoration in 1993, the stone tower was restored to its 9-story height of 27.67 meters. It stands quietly on this land like a guardian of history, as if telling the glory of the past. And the pole support also has its own unique flavor, witnessing the vicissitudes of history. As we strolled through the temple site and touched the ancient architectural ruins, we seemed to be able to travel through time and space and feel the prosperity and hustle and bustle of the Baekje period. 🥰 Every corner here is full of stories. While strolling through it, you can not only appreciate the ancient architectural style, but also feel the strong historical and cultural atmosphere. Just imagine that during the Baekje period, this place was a popular place of worship. Monks chanted scriptures and worshipped Buddha in the temple, and believers came to worship with pious hearts. What a solemn and dignified scene that was. Today, although the temple has gone through many vicissitudes, its solemnity and mystery still remain, which makes people have endless reverie about history. 😉 When visiting the Maitreya Temple, the surrounding beautiful scenery is not to be missed. The temple is surrounded by green mountains, shaded by trees, and the air is fresh and pleasant. Walking in such an environment can not only relax your body and mind, but also appreciate the beauty of nature. It complements the ancient buildings and forms a beautiful picture. 📸 In addition, Iksan itself is a city full of charm. It has a rich cultural heritage from the Baekje era. The Wanggungri ruins and the Mireuksa Temple ruins together form the largest group of relics in Baekje. There is also a gem museum that preserves more than 110,000 precious gemstones, making it the largest gem museum in the world. In addition to visiting the Maitreya Temple site, you may as well visit these places to experience the unique charm of Shoushan City more comprehensively. 🌟 🥳The Mireuksa Temple in Iksan, South Korea is a rare tourist attraction. It not only has a long history and rich cultural connotations, but also has beautiful natural scenery. Here, you can appreciate the profoundness of ancient Buddhist culture and feel the vicissitudes and changes of history. Why not arrange a trip here and start a wonderful journey through the history of Baekje! 💖