Spectacular cliff-perched Saseong-am, the Four Sages Hermitage
O-san is a very small mountain across the river from the Western area of grand Jiri-san, but it features a very dramatically situated and interesting temple named Saseong-am, which means the Four Sages Hermitage. According to historical records and legends, four of Korea's greatest Buddhist masters studied and practiced meditation at this site along their path to enlightenment. One of them was National Master Doseon, founder of Korea's Pungsu-jiri geomancy, and so a small cave here next to the Mountain-spirit shrine is named Doseon-gul after him.
Exterior of the main hall of Saseong-am, enshrining a carving of Amita Buddha
Entrance-way of Saseong-am
The Sanshin-gak or Mountain-spirit Shrine of Saseong-am, with entrance to Doseon-gul Cave on its left
Interior of Doseon-gul, a cave said to have been used by
National Master Doseon for meditation practices in the 9th century
Four Sages Hermitage, Saseong-am, Jiri-san
Buddha carving on stone wall at Four Sages Hermitage, Saseong-amn
Martin Gray is a cultural anthropologist, writer and photographer specializing in the study of pilgrimage traditions and sacred sites around the world. During a 40 year period he has visited more than 2000 pilgrimage places in 165 countries. The World Pilgrimage Guide at sacredsites.com is the most comprehensive source of information on this subject.For additional information by Professor David Mason, visit san-shin.org.
For information about traveling to Korean sacred sites, contact Roger Shepherd.
