Unjusa, also known as the Ten Thousand Buddha Cave Temple, is a historic Buddhist temple located in Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do province in South Korea. The temple was built in the late seventh century during the Silla dynasty, and it is known for its stunning rock-carved statues of Buddha and its serene natural surroundings.
Unjusa is unique among Korean temples in that it features 1,202 stone Buddha statues carved into the walls of the temple, rather than being housed in individual temples or buildings. These statues vary in size from just a few inches to several feet tall, and they are set among natural caves and overhangs in the mountainside. The temple complex also includes a main hall, a pagoda, and several other buildings.
According to legend, the temple was founded by a monk named Doseon during the reign of King Munmu of Silla. Doseon is said to have been inspired to build the temple after receiving a vision of the Buddha, who instructed him to carve the statues into the rocks.
Unjusa has survived numerous wars and natural disasters over the centuries, including the Japanese invasions of Korea in the sixteenth century and the Korean War in the twentieth century. Today, the temple is a popular tourist destination and is considered an important cultural site in South Korea.