Borisa Temple (Gyeongju)

About this place

Borisa Temple sits on the slopes of Namsan in Gyeongju and was founded during the Unified Silla period of the North-South States era; it is the largest temple on Namsan. It is historically significant enough to be mentioned in records noting that the tombs of Silla kings Heongang and Jeonggang lie to the southeast of Borisa. Existing structures include the Daeungjeon (main hall), Sansingak (mountain spirit shrine), meditation hall, bell tower, and residential quarters. Cultural relics include the Gyeongju Namsan Mireukgok Stone Seated Buddha and the Borisa rock-carved Buddha, both made during the Unified Silla period. The Stone Seated Buddha of Mireukgok has such fine and precise carving with a distinctive facial profile that it is nicknamed 'the most handsome Buddha on Namsan,' and is well preserved overall. About 35 m up a mountain path from Borisa is a rock-carved Buddha with rough carving and an abbreviated lower body that seems to float in the air. Borisa is convenient to visit together with nearby attractions including the Gyeongbuk Millennium Forest Garden (Gyeongbuk Cheonnyeon Sup Jeongwon), Tongiljeon, and Seochulji Pond.