According to a painting of Jeong Seon (pen name; Gyeomjae) during the mid-Joseon era, Gogulsa was established by constructing a wooden antechapel in front of several stone grottoes and covering it with tiles.

Recently ex-Master Monk of Kirimsa (Kirim Temple), Seol Jeog-un constructed a road while simultaneously renovating the Gogulsa.

The statue gazes toward the Sea of Japan with a gentle smile and beautiful nimbus in which luxurious lotuses and flames are carved.

Nearer the ocean, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Gogulsa, are the Gameunsa Temple ruins and the underwater tomb of King Munmu.

Located southeast of the seated rock-carved Buddha, the ruins of Gameunsa Temple consist of two Three-Story Stone Pagodas (National Treasure No.

In recent years Gogulsa has established the Seonmudo Practice Center to teach this traditional Buddhist martial art.

Gogulsa has run Sunmudo training programs since 1992 for those who would like to experience the traditions of Korean Seon (Zen) Buddhism including Sonmudo.