Yeongdong Yeongguksa Temple (영국사 (영동))

Yeongguksa Temple is nestled at the foot of Cheontaesan Mountain (714.7 meters), at the boundary between Chungcheongbuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do. Visitors must trek through a valley to reach the temple, passing waterfalls and rocks. The time of Yeongguksa Temple's construction is not clearly known but it is said to have been built around the late Silla period, during the time of King Seonjong. The temple prospered when the State Preceptor Wongak, who completed the Cheontae, one of Buddhist orders from Daegak Guksa Uicheon, came to the temple in the middle of the Goryeo period. It continued to flourish until the early Joseon era and then took a dive due to the rule of anti-Buddhism. Despite the situation at the time, the temple's reputation as one of the noted temples remained. However, the situation worsened in the early twentith century, to the point of near closure. The temple was reconstructed by Jubongjosa Monk in 1934. As of now, the temple contains various treasures including the Stele for State Preceptor Wongak, Stupa of Yeongguksa Temple, Three-story Stone Pagoda of Yeongguksa Temple, Three-story Stone Pagoda at Mangtapbong Peak of Yeongguksa Temple. In addition, Bell-shaped Stupa and Round-shaped Stupa, regional tangible cultural assets, are situated in the temple site.