Bong Won Sa

Bongwonsa is near Yonsei University. You can get there by taking the 7024 bus from Sinchon Station. It is the head of the Taego order of Buddhist monks in South Korea. Taego monks are unique from most other Korean Buddhist monks (Chogye order) in that they can marry.




The symbol on the main temple is what is referred to as the "Dharma Wheel" or Dharmacakra (Sanskrit). It is one of the oldest known Buddhist symbols found in Indian art. The eight spokes represent the "Noble Eightfold Path" of Buddhism, one of the four "Noble Truths" (main teachings) of the Supreme Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama.





Interesting note: The remains of about a dozens bodies buried by the infamous Korean serial killer Yoo Young Chul were discovered on the temple grounds several years ago. Yoo is currently on death row awaiting the death penaly which has not been administered here since 1997.