| Jikjisa | |
|---|---|
Entrance to Jikjisa. |
|
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 직지사 |
| Hanja | 直指寺 |
| Revised Romanization | Jikjisa |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chikchisa |
Jikjisa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is located on the slopes of Hwangaksan in Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon, in the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do. It may be one of the oldest temples in South Korea.
Jikjisa is relatively well-connected to train and bus service. Jikjisa Station is located at the foot of the mountain, along the Gyeongbu Line railroad. It is served only by the local commuter trains, which run twice daily in each direction.
Jikjisa is believed to have been first constructed by the Goguryeo monk Ado in the year 418, long before Buddhism gained general acceptance in Silla. Jikjisa was largely destroyed during the Seven Year War in the 1590s. The rebuilding lasted from 1610 to about 1670.