Birosa (Yeongju)

About this place

Birosa, nestled at the southern foot of Birobong Peak in Sobaeksan, is an ancient temple founded in 680 by the Great Master Uisang. During the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjinwaeran), Birosa was used as a base for the monk-soldiers. However, owing to the Imjinwaeran, everything burned down except for a stone seated Vairocana Buddha, two stone seated Amitabha Buddhas, a stone flagpole support, and the stupa stele of the Great Master Jingong; it was rebuilt by Gyeonghui in 1609 (the 1st year of King Gwanghae) and reconstructed by Wolha in 1684 (the 10th year of King Sukjong), who rebuilt more than 40 kan including the main hall and the mountain-spirit shrine. Various records show that the temple's fortunes were maintained until the period of the opening of ports, but in 1907 all the buildings and temple grounds except the main hall were lost to fire. Afterward, in 1919, Beomseon, the abbot of Huibangsa, repaired the main hall; in 1927 the monks' quarters were rebuilt; and in 1932 the main hall was again repaired, but in 1950 all the buildings were again lost in the June 25 (Korean) War. In 1992, when the present abbot Seonggong took office, Buddhist construction resumed, and thereafter the Jeokgwangjeon, Nahanjeon, Banyasil, Mangwoldang, and others were built, bringing it to its present appearance. Among the principal cultural properties of Birosa are the Yeongju Birosa Stone Seated Amitabha Buddha and the Yeongju Birosa Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha, both designated Treasures, as well as the Birosa Amitabha Rear-Buddha Painting and the Birosa Jingong Daesa Stupa Stele.