Buddhist culture and the status of Okcheonsa Temple(玉泉寺) in the Changnyeong(昌寧) region during the Goryeo Dynasty

ShinDon, a monk and politician during the reign of King Gongmin(恭愍), had a significant influence on the political landscape of his time. He was born in Yeongsan(靈山), Changnyeong, and his mother was a servant of Okcheonsa Temple.In the 15th year of King Gongmin’s reign, Gyeseong-hyeon(桂城縣) was reassigned from the jurisdiction of Milseong-gun(密城郡) to Yeongsan-hyeon(靈山縣). ShinDon sought to expand the size of Yeongsan-hyeon to consolidate the political power of those from the region. The administrative change from Gyesong-hyeon to Yeongsan-hyeon was intended to address both his unstable political position and his social disadvantages.Okcheonsa Temple was abandoned after ShinDon’s death in the 20th year of King Gongmin’s reign. It is presumed that the temple was demolished during this period (the 8th to 23rd years of King Seongjong’s reign), and its material were used in the construction of Jingwondang(澄源堂). Bolimsa Temple(寶林寺) on Yeongchu-san Mountain(靈鷲山) was visited by Monk Jigong(指空) during the reign of King Chungsuk and housed copies of the Tripitaka Koreana during the early Joseon dynasty. This suggests that the temple was highly esteemed during the late Goryeo and early Joseon dynasty.