Mitasa Temple (Seongdong)미타사(성동)

About

Located in Oksu-dong below Dalmajibong Park, Mitasa Temple is a temple under the direct administration of Jogyesa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Because it sits in the Dumutgae area, it is also called Dumutgae Seungbang. Mitasa Temple was founded in 888 (the 2nd year of Queen Jinseong of Silla) near Geumho-dong through the devotion of the bhikkhuni Daewon. In 1115, two bhikkhunis, Bong and Jeok, moved it to its current location in Oksu-dong, built Geungnakjeon Hall, enshrined Amitabha Buddha, and then received the name Mitasa from the National Preceptor. Geungnakjeon Hall and Gwaneumjeon Hall were built with offerings from the devout Queen Dowager Jo, and the Buddha triad and six Buddhist paintings in Geungnakjeon, the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara painting in Gwaneumjeon, and the seven-story stone pagoda embody the traditional beauty of Buddhist art. Over its long history, many bhikkhunis gathered here and each built a hermitage within the temple grounds. Today, seven hermitages remain: Daeseungam, Chilseonggak, Geumboam, Geumsuam, Jeongsuam, Gwaneumam, and Yongunam, making it a unique traditional temple in the heart of Seoul. In 1988, the temple built Cheonbuljeon Hall and Mita Kindergarten, which serve as a gathering place for local residents and Buddhists and as a childcare center for local children.