Yeoju City Bongmi-san
Shilleuk-sa
驪州 鳳尾山 神勒寺 여주 봉미산 신륵사
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신륵사 다층전탑 神勒寺 多層塼塔
Silleuk-sa 신륵사 神勒寺
Spirit-Bridle Temple
A historic temple that overlooks the South Han-gang River (漢江) located in Yeoju-gun County
(驪州郡) of Gyeonggi-do Province. This is one of very few riverside temples in the nation, and
the only major temple perched on a riverbank. It is said to have been founded during the reign of
Shilla King Jinpyeong (眞平王, r. 579-632) under the name Boeun-sa Temple (報恩寺), although
another tradition claims that Master Wonhyo (元曉) founded it in the next generation. Further
legend says that Master Na-ong (懶翁, 1320-1376) put a magical bridle over a wild horse at the
temple, taming it; therefore it came to be called “Divine Bridle Temple” [Shin-reuk-sa (神勒寺),
pronounced Shilleuksa]. Apart from this legend, there is not much concrete historical information
available on the early history of this temple, best known for its association with Na-ong.
After his time many Confucian scholars passed time at this temple, in spite of their ostensible
persecution of Buddhism, until the Imjin Waeran (壬辰倭亂, 1592-98 Japanese Invasion) left
most of it in ruins. The tomb of Joseon King Sejong (世宗, r.1418-50) was moved to Yeoju in
1469, and it was decided that Shilleuk-sa would become the royal memorial temple for the king
and his family, and so it was reconstructed. The final modern reconstruction was completed
in 1928, and many refurbishments have been accomplished after 1953, as it became a popular
tourist & pilgrimage destination, and now sometimes hosts a TempleStay program.
Shilleuk-sa contains seven Buddhist Korean Treasures, including its Josa-dang 祖師堂 Patriarchs
Shrine, designated Treasure #180, which enshrines formal portraits of Masters Na-ong, Muhak
(1327-1405), and Jigong (d. 1363) [not Wonhyo, since legends of his having been the original
founder cannot be supported by any evidence]. It also hosts a Multi-storied Stone Pagoda that
is designated Treasure #225, its Multi-storied Brick Pagoda (多層塼塔) designated Treasure
#226, the bell-shaped sari-budo reliquary of Naong (T. #228), and the biseok stone stele of his
biography (T. #229) and also Treasures #230 & 231. Also well-known are the 500-year-old
aromatic Juniper tree and the 600-year-old Ginkgo tree standing within its grounds.
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