Inwangsa temple Inwangsa temple, located on Mt. Inwangsan which is known for its varied rock formations, is an interesting Buddhist temple with shamanic features. If you walk past the apartment buildings and up the winding road of Mt. Inwangsan for 20 minutes, you will come across Iljumun, the first gate of the temple, standing precariously on the steep mountainside. Normally, after entering the first gate of a Buddhist temple, an organized temple reveals itself. However, Inwangsa does not have a temple-like atmosphere but rather the feel of a mountainside village. The temple buildings are located among old traditional houses and the narrow and tangled roads are misleading and confusing. However, this unorganized atmosphere is the unique charm of Inwangsa temple, which also has shamanic attractions such as Guksadang shrine and Seonbawi rocks nearby. In a sense, the reputation of Guksadang shrine and Seonbawi rocks exceeds that of Inwangsa temple. Both attractions have shamanic origins. The guardians of the state including Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty, are worshipped at Guksadang shrine. The shrine, designated Important Folk Heritage No. 28 in 1973, was originally located at Palgakjeong pavilion on Mt. Namsan but was moved to Inwangsan in 1925. To this day, shamans offer foods such as chicken and rice cakes to the guardians at the altar and hold various shamanic rituals at the shrine. For those who have not experienced the shamanic culture of Korea, the shamanic rituals will be a unique experience. In addition, Guksadang also has historic value as paintings of the worshipped guardians, designated Important Folk Heritage No. 17, are preserved in the shrine. Seonbawi rock, believed to grant wishes Seonbawi rock can be reached by walking five minutes up the hill from the shrine. The rock, designated Important Folk Heritage No. 4 in 1973 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, earned its name meaning 'Zen rock' because it consists of two giant rocks that resemble a Buddhist monk wearing a robe. The rock is believed to grant wishes, and people's belief in the sacredness of the rock became firmer when the Guksadang shrine was moved from Mt. Namsan to Mt. Inwangsan during the Japanese occupation. Even to this day, Koreans visit the rock to make wishes. As many childless women in particular visit the rock, Seonbawi rock is also called 'Gijaam', meaning 'rock where one wishes for a child'.       Date : January 01, 2005 - December 31, 2005   Venue : Inwangsa temple    Subway Take subway line 3 to Dongnimmun Station (Exit 2) Events >Others