Southern Naejang-san Area
on Baekam-san, in Jangseong-gun County
Baegyang-sa 白羊寺
From my Encyclopedia of Korean Buddhism:
Baegyang-sa  백양사  白羊寺  [Baek-yang-sa, White Goat Temple] is an important historic temple
situated at the base of Mt. Baegam-san 白巖山 [White Cliffs Mountain] in Jangseong-gun County
長城郡 of Jeolla-namdo Province. It now rests deep within the southern section of the Naejang-san
National Park.  It was called
Baegam-sa 白巖寺 [White Cliff, Cave or Hermitage Temple] when it was
founded in 632 by Master Yeohwan 如幻 near the end of the Baekje Kingdom (300s-660s CE).
 Later
during the Goryeo Dynasty, a monk named Jungyeon 中延 changed the name to Jeongto-sa
淨土寺 [Pure Land Temple] after remodeling it.

The name was changed again in 1574 during the reign of Joseon King Seonjo 朝鮮, due to an event
that became
legendary.  A famous master lectured on the Sutras there for a few days, and a white
mountain-goat came down from the crags, and seemed to the audience to be reverently listen.  After
the last day of the lecture-series, that goat appeared in the master's dream and thanked him for its
‘being able to return to heaven’ owing to his sermon.  The next day it was indeed found dead high up
on the mountain.  Therefore the name of this temple was changed to “Baek-yang-sa” 白羊寺 [White
Goat Temple]; the color white is especially sacred to all Korean spiritual traditions.  It is also popularly
called the Gobul Chongrim 古佛叢林 [Ancient-Buddha Forest-Seon(Zen)-Monastery] due to the many
monks who have attained enlightenment due to studying and practicing in it.
The grand view of the pavilion, reflecting-pond and Baegam-san crags of the Entranceway of
Baegyang-sa are so famous, especially in October; almost every great photographer in Korea
has obsessed over it.  All these 3 shots in various years & lights are by my friend
Robert Koehler.
Scriptural Master Manam Jongheon 曼庵 宗憲 (1876-1957) started to rebuild Baegyang-sa in 1917,
while opening a monk's college within it.  Because of his excellent teachings a lot of monks flocked
to this temple, and then he was invited to
Gaya-san Haein-sa Monastery as a Sutra instructor.  The
eminent Seon Master Seo-ong (西翁, 1912-2003) was one of his disciples.  Blessed with its beautiful
natural environment, this monastery now manages a Sutra School, Precepts School and Meditation
Center.  It also operates a popular TempleStay program.  It is famous for its many cherry trees over
300 years old alongside its entrance road that blossom with grandeur every March.  It contains five
Local Cultural Properties including its
Geungnak-jeon 極樂殿 [Extreme Bliss or Paradise Hall].