Munsusa Temple is located halfway up the Munsusan Mountain (621m) on the border between Gochang and Jangseong of Jeollanam-do. Climbing from the Gosu-myeon Seat and passing by Gosudoyoji (Gosu Kiln Site), you can reach the Josan Reservoir. Going 6km up the valley on the left, you can find Munsu Temple to your west in the dense forest.
The temple is in a desolate and clean natural environment with clean water and dense forest. On the temple site, local tangible cultural properties no. 51 (Daeungjeon Hall), no. 52 (Munsujeon Hall), no. 154 (Stupa), no. 207 (Wooden Three Buddha Statues) and no. 208 (Seated Wooden Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Buddhist Saint)) are located with Myeongbujeon Hall and Hansanjeon Hall. The small-scale Daeungjeon Hall has unique gambrel roof. The water running in the leafy valley and autumn-tinted leaves create a beautiful harmony with the old temple, attracting climbers. Dozens of more than 200-year old maple trees make for a magnificent view.
Located halfway up the Cheongnyangsan Mountain, Munsusa Temple was built by Jajangyulsa in the 4th year of King Euija’s reign during the Baekje Dynasty (644). It has been said that Jajangyulsa met Manjushri in a dream and found enlightenment while praying on Cheongnyang Mountain in Tang Dynasty and returned to Baekje. While passing the region, he found out that the land conditions of the region were similar to that Cheongnyang Mountain and built a temple and named it Munsu Temple. It was rebuilt in the 4th year of King Hyojong’s reign (1653) and again in the 40th year of King Youngjo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty. It was not initially clear when Daeungjeon, which enshrines Buddha, was built, but it has been discovered that it was built by the great Buddhist priest Mukam with the donations from Seongro Kim, the then governor of Gochang in the 13th year of King Gojong’s reign (1876).
As a small-scale building with 3 kans in the front and 3 kans on the side, it introduces the Dapo Style, which uses many supports between pillars to buttress roof tiles while also serving the purpose of decoration.