[1][2] Naksan is an abbreviated term of Botarakgasan (補陀洛伽山) in Korean that refers to Mount Potalaka, the place where the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is believed to live.

Naksansa is regarded as one of the great eight scenic areas in the Eastern region of Korea, known as "Gwandong Palgyeong" (관동팔경).

[1][2][3] Naksansa was founded in 671, by the Buddhist monk, Uisang Daesa (Grand Master Uisang), an ambassador of the 30th King Munmu of the Silla period (BC 57 – AD 935)[1][2] after he had returned from studying abroad during the Chinese Tang dynasty, who, while meditating near the cave in which the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Gwaneumbosal) was believed to have lived, was told by the Bodhisattva to build the temple there.

The white granite statue stands in a clearing at the top of the hill, eyes and fingers closed in peaceful meditation as it gazes out to sea.

On the finial, around the long thin, bronze rod are ornaments similar to those in Lama pagoda of Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) in China.

[2][3] The museum displays a violin and cello built from wood found on the temple grounds that survived the fire.