Beopgwangsa Temple

Beopgwangsa was a temple located at the foot of Mount Bihak in Pohang City. Although it is said that Monk Wonhyo founded it by royal command during the reign of King Jinpyeong of Silla, this lacks credibility as Wonhyo became a monk in 648, the second year of Queen Jindeok's reign. Originally, it was a large temple encompassing 525 bays, but due to a fire in 1863, most of its buildings were completely destroyed. The current buildings were rebuilt in 1952. On the site of Beopgwangsa, centered around the Wontongjeon hall (three bays in the front, two bays on the side), which is situated on a stone foundation, are the Sanryeonggak, Yosa (monks' quarters), and Jongmuso (temple office). The old temple site behind the buildings is currently designated as a historic site, and artifacts such as a three-story stone pagoda, a lotus pedestal for a Buddha statue, and twin tortoise-shaped pedestals remain there.