Hwaeomsa, Buddhist temple in Gurye County, South Korea.

Hwaeomsa is a Jogye Order head temple on the slopes of Jirisan in Gurye County, entered through an iljumun gate bearing the plaque 'Jirisan Hwaeomsa'. The path passes the Geumgangmun and Cheonwangmun gates, then climbs to Bojeru pavilion and the main courtyard, where the Daeungjeon hall faces two five-story stone pagodas from the Unified Silla period. Higher terraces hold Gakhwangjeon, a seven-bay-by-five-bay double-story hall, and the Four-Lion Three-Story Stone Pagoda.

Yeongi Josa founded the temple in 544, naming it after two characters of the Avatamsaka Sutra. Jajang Yulsa expanded it in 643, and in 875 Doseon Guksa enlarged it again. After Japanese invaders burned most buildings in 1593, Byeogam Gakseong rebuilt the main hall between 1630 and 1636, and King Sukjong completed the reconstruction in 1701.

The temple preserves the Flower Garland Sutra inscribed on stone tablets, a fundamental teaching in Korean Buddhism. These written texts show how believers have passed down their spiritual practices across generations.

The temple can be reached by regular buses from Gurye Intercity Bus Terminal, followed by a walk to the entrance. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable, as the paths are hilly and involve climbing several sets of stairs.

The Four-Lion Three-Story Stone Pagoda (National Treasure No. 35) is 7.17 m tall. Four seated lions support the upper base, and in the center stands a monk, identified as Yeongi Josa's mother, to whom he kneels offering tea. A stone lantern opposite shows the same monk holding a bowl.