Eunsusa (literally "Silver Water Temple") is a small Korean Buddhist temple that sits at the base of Sutmaibong (peak), or Elephant Rock, in the Maisan (Horse Ear Mountain) in Jinan County, North Jeolla Province, South Korea.

Eunsu Temple
Eunsusa is a small Buddhist Temple that sits at the base of Sutmaibong (peak), or Elephant Rock, in the Maisan (Horse Ear Mountain)
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
Location
LocationDongchon-ri, Maryeong-myeon, Jinan County, North Jeolla Province
CountrySouth Korea
Eunsusa is located in South Korea
Eunsusa
Shown within South Korea
Geographic coordinates35°45′34″N 127°24′51″E / 35.759503°N 127.4141765°E / 35.759503; 127.4141765
Korean name
Hangul
은수사
Hanja
銀水寺
Revised RomanizationEunsusa
McCune–ReischauerŬnsusa

In addition to Cheongsilbae - Natural Monuments #386, a shrine dedicated to Dangun Wanggeom (the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom), and a large drum that anyone can strike, can be found at Eunsusa.[1]

Maisan (Horse Ear Mountain) is part of the Maisan Provincial Park complex and visitors to the park frequently visit Eunsusa on the way to, or from, the better known[citation needed] Tapsa (Pagoda Temple) that lies to the southwest, down the path through the park.

Further down the path, past Tapsa and Lake Tapyeongje, is found the small temple of Geumdangsa inside the park as well.

Treasures

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Cheongsilbae (Pear Tree) at Eunsusa. Natural Monument #386

Natural Monuments #386

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Cheongsilbae is an extremely rare pear tree species endemic to Korea known only to exist at Eunsusa.

The age of this tree at Eunsusa is believed to be about 650 years old.

Cheongsilbae stands 18 meters/59 feet in height and 2.8 meters/9.2 feet in circumference.

This variation is a blue thread colored mountain stone shaped pear tree that would grow near a house or on mountain.

The leaf is saw-toothed with an oval tip and both sides of this strongly structured leaf are smooth.

The fruit starts out brown or green in color but changes to yellow as it ripens later in the fall.

Cheongsilbae at Eunsusa was planted as a seed by Yi Seonggye, King Taejo in Joseon, at this site to commemorate where he prayed in Maisan. The local people are very proud of the legend of Cheongsilbae's origins.

Cheongsilbae is protected as, and designated as, a Natural Monument due to the scientific value and to assure preservation of species.[2]

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Robinson, Martin; Bartlett, Ray; Whyte, Rob (2007). Korea (7th ed.). Australia: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd. pp. 300. 9781741045581.
  2. ^ "jikimi.cha.go.kr". Retrieved 2010-02-27.