About this objectThis group of mountains on the northeast coast of Korea, was named after the Chinese pilgrimage site—'Five Terrace Mountains' —by the monk Jajang (慈藏, 608–86) after his return from there. According to the Samguk Yusa [EXH18], Jajang encountered Mañjuśrī) at Wutaishan, and hoped that the bodhisattva would also show himself in these Korean mountains. He had also obtained relics of the historical Buddha [see Relics Story] which he enshrined on the south-facing slope of the central peak,.
Athough not as high as Wutaishan the site similarly has five peaks around a central valley and Jajang founded a temple, Woljeongsa (월정사, 月精寺), at the southern entrance to the valley. Sangwonsa (상원사), 8 km north, founded shortly after, is now famous for its bell, cast in 725. There are several other shrines and the pilgrimage route came to include both these along with earlier sacred sites on the mountain.
