The hermitage features a unique collection of 160,000 ceramic tiles engraved with Buddhist scriptures, known as the Ceramic Tripitaka.
The site hosts a massive 'Jangdokdae' (terrace of jars) area, where hundreds of traditional earthenware pots are used for fermenting soybean paste.
Unlike traditional woodblock prints, the scriptures here are carved into clay tiles and kiln-fired for durability.
Seounam is a designated area for the cultivation of hundreds of wild flower species native to the Korean peninsula.
The hermitage was historically known as a place for advanced meditative practice and scholarly study within the Tongdosa lineage.
Seounam is a significant hermitage located within the grounds of the Tongdosa Temple complex, famous for its expansive fields of over 160,000 wildflower pots. The hermitage houses the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks, specifically the Janggyeonggak repository which contains Buddhist sutras carved onto ceramic tiles rather than wood. It is renowned for the annual Wildflower Festival held in late spring, which showcases indigenous Korean flora. The architecture reflects traditional Buddhist design, integrated into the natural forest landscape of the Yeongchuksan mountain range. Visitors can observe the traditional process of soybean paste production, for which the hermitage is well known throughout the region. The site serves as both a place of spiritual practice for monks and a horticultural site for botanical preservation.
The terrace featuring hundreds of traditional earthenware jars set against the backdrop of the wildflower fields and mountains.
Walk the gravel paths through the jar fields carefully to respect the fermentation areas.
Visit during the wildflower blooming season to see the hillside transformed by seasonal colors.
Check the local Yangsan cultural calendar for the specific annual dates of the Wildflower Festival.
Do not attempt to touch or open the fermentation jars, as they contain food for the monastery.
Maintain silence as this is an active monastic residence; dress modestly; remove shoes when entering indoor wooden halls.
