Jogyesa Temple

Jogyesa Temple, heart of Korean Buddhism

The Seoul audio-guided tour invites you to quiet contemplation before Jogyesa Temple, often considered the most beautiful in the city. Nestled in the heart of the business district, it offers a peaceful, spiritual interlude, at the nerve centre of Korean Buddhism.

A temple at the heart of history

A first temple already adorned this site in the fourteenth century, but it was entirely destroyed by fire. The present Jogyesa Temple came into being in 1910, first under the name Taegosa, and became the main temple of Buddhism during the Japanese occupation. It was only in 1954, after the Korean War, that it recovered its traditional appearance and took the name Jogyesa. It has since been the seat of the Jogye order, the largest school of Korean Buddhism.

What there is to see

The temple attracts the faithful each day, who come to pray or chant, and visitors marvelling at the beauty of the building. All around stand trees sometimes more than four centuries old, decorated according to Buddhist festivals. During the great celebrations, such as Buddha's birthday, the courtyard is adorned with colourful lanterns. It is a peaceful and authentic place, to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

Jogyesa Temple is in the centre of Seoul, in the business district, near Insadong. An active place of worship, it is visited with respect for the contemplation of the faithful; access is generally free. Appropriate dress and silence are expected inside the buildings.

Why is Jogyesa Temple important?

It is the seat of the Jogye order, the largest school of Korean Buddhism, and one of the main spiritual centres of Seoul, in the heart of the city.

Is the present temple old?

The present temple dates from 1910; an older building, from the fourteenth century, had been destroyed by fire. It took the name Jogyesa in 1954.