| Jiri-san 지리산 the Exquisite-Wisdom Mountain |
| an idealized view of Jiri-san's highest peak and the monument on it, from KNTO |
I translate its name "Ji-ri" as "Exquisite Wisdom", a Buddhist-based term -- spiritual
wisdom that is above-the-ordinary, refined, precious and rare. It fits. The term
"exquisite wisdom" is used in the famous Diamond and Lotus Sutras as the type of
wisdom possessed and employed by Munsu-bosal [Manjusri or Monju (Jp), the
Bodhisattva of Wisdom] to enlighten each Buddha before it manifests into our world,
and to potentially enlighten all the universe's beings. This massive mountain has long
been associated with this key Buddhist deity, and several of the temples found here
reflect that emphasis. As a result, Koreans commonly say that staying for a while on
the slopes of this mountain will transform a foolish people into wise ones.
The Jiri Mountains have three main peaks --
Cheonhwang-bong, Banya-bong and Nogo-dan --
with a dozen major subsidiary peaks over 1000 meters.
It's really "a group of mountains" under one name,
with four distinct sets of peaks:
the Eastern Main Ridge with Cheonhwang-bong (1915m)
and its many partners;
the Western Main Ridge with Banya-bong (1751m),
Samdo-bong (1530m), Nogo-dan (1507m) & etc;
the Southern Spur led by Samshin-bong; and
the Northern Spur led by Samjeong-bong.
These form 12 Major Sectors of valleys, gorges,
ridges, slopes, temples and shrines.
Alpine springs of very high-quality water flow down into two-dozen dramatic valleys and
famous scenic gorges. Twelve great Buddhist temples and more than 60 smaller ones
are found around the slopes, with several shrines and well-known folk-culture sites.
Half of Korea's eight highest-altitude temples are found in these mountains. Most of
Jiri-san is a National Park -- Korea's oldest and still the largest mountain-based one. It
was designated at the end of December 1967 by President Park Chung-hee.
wisdom that is above-the-ordinary, refined, precious and rare. It fits. The term
"exquisite wisdom" is used in the famous Diamond and Lotus Sutras as the type of
wisdom possessed and employed by Munsu-bosal [Manjusri or Monju (Jp), the
Bodhisattva of Wisdom] to enlighten each Buddha before it manifests into our world,
and to potentially enlighten all the universe's beings. This massive mountain has long
been associated with this key Buddhist deity, and several of the temples found here
reflect that emphasis. As a result, Koreans commonly say that staying for a while on
the slopes of this mountain will transform a foolish people into wise ones.
The Jiri Mountains have three main peaks --
Cheonhwang-bong, Banya-bong and Nogo-dan --
with a dozen major subsidiary peaks over 1000 meters.
It's really "a group of mountains" under one name,
with four distinct sets of peaks:
the Eastern Main Ridge with Cheonhwang-bong (1915m)
and its many partners;
the Western Main Ridge with Banya-bong (1751m),
Samdo-bong (1530m), Nogo-dan (1507m) & etc;
the Southern Spur led by Samshin-bong; and
the Northern Spur led by Samjeong-bong.
These form 12 Major Sectors of valleys, gorges,
ridges, slopes, temples and shrines.
Alpine springs of very high-quality water flow down into two-dozen dramatic valleys and
famous scenic gorges. Twelve great Buddhist temples and more than 60 smaller ones
are found around the slopes, with several shrines and well-known folk-culture sites.
Half of Korea's eight highest-altitude temples are found in these mountains. Most of
Jiri-san is a National Park -- Korea's oldest and still the largest mountain-based one. It
was designated at the end of December 1967 by President Park Chung-hee.
| Jiri-san's location at the bottom of the Korean peninsula, on a satellite photo -- its lofty peaks are the brown spots clearly visible in the upper center of this picture. The white areas indicate civilization, not snow... |
| Looking south across the Seomjin River on a typically foggy morning |
| The 3 Greatest Ancient Buddhist Temples of Jiri-san (within all South Korea's "Top-20 Monasteries", each with a cluster of Hermitages): Nogo-dan Hwaeom-sa Samshin-bong Ssanggye-sa Samjeong-bong Shilsang-sa |
| Myself at what may be the Budo of Doseon-daesa, in April 2006 |
| Cheonhwang-bong seen from Yeongwon-sa area |
| Hiking up on the long, high main ridge |
| Green Tea growing on the steep slopes of the Daeseong-gyegok scenic-valley |
| On Highway 19 on the north bank of the Seomjin River in October 2004, pumpkins and religious-motif stone-carvings are on sale. |
| Looking south from that same place, the placid Seomjin River flows by. |
| Dongri-san Taean-sa Gurye O-san Saseong-am Nogo-dan Cheoneun-sa Cheoneun-sa's Sudo-am Cheoneun-sa's Sangseon-am Hwaeom-sa's Namak-sa Shrine Hwaeom-sa's Jijang-am Hwaeom-sa's Geumjeong-am Samdo-bong Yeongok-sa Toggi-bong Chilbul-sa Ssanggye-sa's Guksa-am Ssanggye-sa's Bulil-am Cheonghak-dong Samseong-gung |
| 20 Major "new" Temples, Shrines or Hermitages found around Jiri-san: Cheoneun-sa's Dogye-am Cheoneun-sa's Samil-am Hwaeom-sa's Yeongi-am Gurye's South Munsu-sa Yeongok-sa's Bullak-sa Yeongok-sa's Hansan-sa Yeongok-sa's Cheonwang-sa Cheonghak-dong Jinju-am Naedae-gol Sanshin-halmae-dang Naedae-gol Gilsang-am Naedae-gol Seokcheon-sa Beobgye-sa's Cheonwang-sa Ju-san Jeonggak-sa Byeoksong-sa's Seo-am South Beobhwa-sa Hamyang's North Munsu-sa Hamyang-gun Gyeonbul-sa Hamyang-gun Sambul-sa Hamyang-gun Muju-am Banya-bong's Myohyang-am |
See the Sector listings above, or the Map, for links to these places, if I
have pages about them up yet. What are called "Ancient" in these
listings means temples that were founded before 1900 CE, according to
information contained in The Dictionary of Korean Buddhist Temples,
published by Bulgyo-shidaesa, Seoul, in 1991 (ISBN# 89-8002-024-4-
01220). If it's not listed in that book, I list it here as "new".
have pages about them up yet. What are called "Ancient" in these
listings means temples that were founded before 1900 CE, according to
information contained in The Dictionary of Korean Buddhist Temples,
published by Bulgyo-shidaesa, Seoul, in 1991 (ISBN# 89-8002-024-4-
01220). If it's not listed in that book, I list it here as "new".
Cheonhwang-bong Beobgye-sa Cheonhwang-bong Naewon-sa Cheonhwang-bong Daewon-sa Cheonhwang-bong Byeoksong-sa Beobhwa-san North Beobhwa-sa Samjeong-bong Yeongwon-sa Yeongwon-sa's Godam-sa Yeongwon-sa's Sangmuju-am Yeongwon-sa's Dosol-am Shilsang-sa's Yaksu-am Shilsang-sa's Seojin-am Shilsang-sa's Baekjang-am Namwon City Yongdam-sa |
| The 26 other Great Ancient Temples and Hermitages encircling the Jiri Mountains (listed counter-clockwise, starting from the SW): |
| from a Korea National Parks Authority brochure |
Jiri-san is listed as one of Korea's most sacred
places on Martin Gray's excellent Sacred Sites
of the World website, on this page about Korea.
For plenty of information and beautiful photos
of the world's holy pilgrimage destinations,
get his excellent new 275-page book:
Sacred Earth: Places of Peace and Power.
places on Martin Gray's excellent Sacred Sites
of the World website, on this page about Korea.
For plenty of information and beautiful photos
of the world's holy pilgrimage destinations,
get his excellent new 275-page book:
Sacred Earth: Places of Peace and Power.
