Jogyesa

Jogyesa
조계사
General information
Architectural style	Korean
Town or city	Jongno District, Seoul
Country	South Korea
Coordinates	37°34′26.09″N 126°58′54.85″E / 37.5739139°N 126.9819028°E / 37.5739139; 126.9819028
Construction started	1395
Korean name
Hangul	조계사
Hanja	曹溪寺
Revised Romanization	Jogyesa
McCune–Reischauer	Chogyesa

Jogyesa (Korean: 조계사; lit. Jogye Temple) is the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The building dates back to the late 14th century and became the order's chief temple in 1936.^[1] It thus plays a leading role in the current state of Seon Buddhism in South Korea. The temple was first established in 1395, at the dawn of the Joseon Dynasty; the modern temple was founded in 1910 and initially called "Gakhwangsa". The name was changed to "Taegosa" during the period of Japanese rule, and then to the present name in 1954.

Jogyesa is located in Gyeonji-dong [ko], Jongno-gu, in downtown Seoul. Natural monument No. 9, an ancient white pine tree, is located within the temple grounds.^[2] Jogyesa Temple is located in one of the most popular cultural streets in Seoul, Insa-dong, near the Gyeongbokgung Palace.

This temple participates in the Templestay program, where visitors can sign up to experience the life of Buddhist monks at the temple, eat Buddhist food, and learn the history of the temple and of Korean Buddhism as a whole.^[3]