Kamŭnsa (Korean: 감은사; Hanja: 感恩寺; RR: Gameunsa) was a Silla-era Buddhist temple located in what is now Gyeongju, South Korea. The site believed to be its former location was designated Historic Site of South Korea No. 31 on January 21, 1963. Two stone pagodas at the site were designated National Treasures of South Korea No. 112 on December 20, 1962.
History
Construction of the temple was initiated under King Munmu of Silla (r. 661–681) and was completed in 682, during the reign of his son King Sinmun. The temple's name, "Gameunsa" (感恩寺), translates to "Temple of Gratitude" — reflecting the filial piety and gratitude felt toward King Munmu, who is said to have wished to become a dragon protecting the Korean peninsula after his death. According to legend, King Munmu was buried in the East Sea (Sea of Japan), and Kamŭnsa was built near the shore so that his spirit could watch over the realm.
Architecture and Pagodas
The temple site is best known for its two three-story stone pagodas (East and West), which stand side by side and are among the finest examples of early Silla stone pagoda architecture. These pagodas have been the subject of scholarly research on the design principles of early Korean stone pagodas, including studies on the application of geometric ratios such as the square root of 2 (√2) in their construction.
Current Status
The exact date of the temple's abandonment is unknown. Today, only the foundation stones and the two stone pagodas remain at the site, which is officially designated as the "Gameunsa Temple Site, Gyeongju." The site is located near the coast of the Sea of Japan (East Sea) in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
