Ballyongsa (Gyeongsan)

About this place

Ballyongsa is a temple located on a spur of Guryongsan Mountain (Ballyongsan) in Yongjeon-myeon, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and is a branch temple of Eunhaesa, the head temple of the 10th diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It was founded in 661 by the great monk Wonhyo, and in the early Goryeo period State Preceptor Woneung rebuilt it under the name 'Sinheungam.' It was later destroyed during the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of 1592) and regained its temple appearance in the late Joseon period. Over some 60 years from the reign of King Injo to that of King Sukjong, Ballyongsa built a total of 25 halls to form a great monastery, and 'Sinheungsa' was renamed Ballyongsa. However, many halls were lost to fire. It was rebuilt in 1968, and after later completing the Sansingak, Yongwanggak, and other structures, the monks' quarters were newly built in 2018, bringing it to the present day. Ballyongsa preserves more than ten pieces of the flower-patterned stone facing members of Ballyongsa in Gyeongsan, designated Cultural Heritage of Gyeongsangbuk-do. In addition, a bell-shaped stupa made in 1741 remains.