Magoksa

Magoksa is a Buddhist temple in Gongju with grounds separated by a stream into two distinct areas. The complex contains traditional wooden buildings that house Buddhist sculptures, altars, and ceremonial spaces arranged across the terrain.

The temple was founded in the 7th century during the Baekje period as a major Buddhist site. Later, during the invasions of the late 1500s, it became a refuge where warrior monks took shelter and defended their beliefs.

The site serves as an active center where Buddhist monks conduct daily rituals and ceremonies that connect to Korean spiritual life. Visitors observe how pilgrims move through the grounds and interact with the sacred spaces, witnessing living religious traditions.

The site is accessible by public transportation from nearby cities, and visitors can stay overnight in guesthouses located on the temple grounds. Walking around the main areas is straightforward, with paths connecting the different compounds and buildings.

A venerable juniper tree on the grounds was planted by a Korean independence activist following the country's liberation in the mid-1900s. This tree stands as a living link between the temple's ancient roots and Korea's modern history.