[Photo from utour.gwangju.go.kr]

Jeungsimsa temple is a symbolic Buddhist temple in the guardian mountain of Gwangju, Mudeung Mountain. It is said that Jeungsimsa temple was first founded by a Buddhist priest, Cheolgamseonsa Do Yun, during the Silla dynasty, in the 4th year of King Heonan's reign, and was rebuilt by a Buddhist priest, Hyejoguksa (a national Buddhist priest) during the Goryeo period in the 11th year of the reign of King Uijong. Obackjeon hall was established for the third time by Gim Bang during the Joseon dynasty in the 25th year in the reign of King Sejong. By doing this, people wished national prosperity and welfare on the people, but it was burned during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597.

Obaekjeon Hall at the Jeungsimsa temple has a tale that is connected with ants. A long time ago, Gim Bang found a big ant nest at the construction site of Gyeongyangbangjuk dike. Gim Bang safely moved the ants nest to the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain, because he was deeply touched by the merciful heart of Buddha. At that time, his deepest thought was to provide food for many workers who had been moved to the Gyeongyangbangjuk dike construction site. One day, when he went into the food warehouse, ants entered the warehouse in a line, holding rice in their mouths. The line of ants kept coming in until the very end of the construction. Gim Bang built the Obaekjeon Hall in Jeungsimsa temple and placed the 500 Buddhas Statue in it. Thus, Obaekjeon hall shows through a symbol, that even something small and worthless can have a gratituous heart.