Bogyeongsa Temple
523 Bogyeong-ro, Songra-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Bogyeongsa Temple, a branch temple of Bulguksa of the 11th District of the Jogye Order, is a millennium-old temple founded in 603 (the 25th year of King Jinpyeong of Silla) by the monk Jimyeong who had returned from study in the Tang Chen dynasty. According to the founding legend, Jimyeong presented to the king a plan to search for an auspicious site along the eastern coast where a master he had met in China advised him to bury an eight-sided precious mirror (pallyeon boggyeong) to ward off Wa pirates, unite the Three Kingdoms, and bring prosperity. The king approved, and after traveling north along the eastern coast, Jimyeong buried the mirror in a pond at the foot of Mt. Naeyeon in Haeahyeon, filled the pond, and built the main hall — naming the temple Bogyeongsa (Precious Mirror Temple). The temple holds 8 Treasure-designated artifacts and 2 provincial cultural properties.