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Tapsa Temple is a unique Korean Buddhist temple located on Maisan Mountain in Jinan County, Jeollabuk-do Province.
It is famous for its 108 natural stone pagodas, built over 30 years by a hermit named Lee Gap Yong in the late 19th century.
The pagodas are all conical structures, built entirely of stacked stones without mortar or adhesive. Their unique shape and the surrounding landscape of numerous pagodas make them a beloved destination for tourists and devotees alike.
Tapsa Temple is located between two peaks on the southern slopes of Maisan Mountain (Ammai Peak and Sotmaibong Peak), creating a unique, lunar-like landscape with its unique rock formations.
The temple interior houses various Buddhist structures, including a statue of Lee Gap Yong, a mountain spirit shrine, the Maitreya Buddha, and the main hall, which also serves as a traditional temple.
Lee Gap Yong built the pagodas while meditating and practicing architecture. He later became a monk and continued his Buddhist practice here.
The two most famous towers in Tapsa Temple, Cheonji Tower (Heaven Tower) and Obang Tower (Earth Tower), symbolize heaven and earth respectively. In addition, there are other towers with various meanings that pray for health and well-being.
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