Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)
Birosa is a temple located at the southern foot of Birobong, the highest peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. It was founded by revered Buddhist monk Uisang Daesa in the 20th year of King Munmu’s reign (680 A.D.) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s Buddha statue and the flagpole supports reveal the long history of this ancient temple.
To the left of the entrance to Birosa Temple stand a pair of flagpole supports that are official called Yeongju Samgadong Dangganjiju. The 4.8 meter-high flagpole supports facing each other have a meticulous structure. Inside the temple precincts is Jingongdaesa Bobeoptapbi, a stele with a stone turtle base erected in honor of the great monk Jingong Daesa.
The temple enshrines the Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha statues, which were created during the Silla Kingdom in the late 9th century. Both of these Buddha statues realistically depict the human form, and show similar characteristics, which reveal that they were crafted by the same artisan. Preserving such valuable cultural heritages, Birosa Temple also has a serene view of Birobong Peak on Sobaeksan Mountain.
* Major cultural properties: Yeongpung Birosa Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha Statues (Treasure No. 997), Yeongju Samgadong Dangganjiju (Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 7)