Dragon Pool Temple

Dragon Pool Temple[1](龍華寺,용화사)[2] is a Buddhist temple in Yongdamdong, Yongyeon (龍淵) region in Jeju City, South Korea. [3] The temple, set within a walled compound and located on the west side of Cheju Castle, contains a phallic shrine which was visited by female pilgrims who came to worship it for its alleged fertility blessings. The phallic stone is made from granite, quite small in size, and white, and was reportedly found in a nearby field by a farmer.[1] The phallic statue is called "Dongjabul" which means "Little Buddha". The statue at the western pillar is called "Seojabok" and its prayer days are February 15th and November 15th in the lunar calendar. [2]

History

Originally a temple called Haeryun Temple(海輪寺) was built at the site during the 13th century.[3] The temple was destroyed in 1702 as part of the effort of the Joseon Dynasty to suppress Buddhism. [3] In the 1960s the temple was renamed "Yonghwasa" (龍華寺).[3]

References
  1. Nemeth, David J. (4 September 1987). The Architecture of Ideology: Neo-Confucian Imprinting on Cheju Island, Korea. University of California Press. p. 197. ISBN 978-0-520-09713-1. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  2. "서문시장".
  3. "용화사".


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