| Sobaek-san's Biro-bong Biro-sa: peak and temple for the Cosmic Truth Buddha -- page one -- |
| Biro-bong, soaring 1439 meters, is the highest peak of Sobaek-san [Minor White Mountains] National Park, in Punggi Township of Yeongju City. This chain of mountains is named Sobaek because it runs out west from the very holy Mt. Taebaek [Grand White], whose reputation is so powerful that it dominates every other mountain within 50 km; it is also considered the first section of the Sobaek Mountain Range, which defines and separates the Gyeongsang Provinces from the rest of Korea. The name "Biro" refers to the Biro-bul or Birochana-bul [Vairocana, the Buddha of Cosmic Truth, who shines the Light of the Dharma (teachings, law, truth) throughout the Universe; one of the five Great Buddhas in Mahayana Buddhism]. Biro-bul is the "Truth-Body" Buddha, highest of the "Three Bodies of the Buddha", and is the source of all the historical Buddhas (such as Sakyamuni, Amithaba and Maitreya; Munsu-bosal is their teacher). Icons of him represent is the ever-existing cosmic enlightenment of the universe. The very highest peaks of many great mountains in Korea are named "Biro-bong", in recognition of the idea that their Sanshin or Mountain-spirits are enlightened Buddhas in the act of physical manifestation (for much more on this, click here). There are many hermitages in Korea named Biro-am (at the great Tongdo-sa for example), but this is the only temple with the very auspicious name Biro-sa, honoring both the Biro-bul and this peak in a very direct way. (it is worth noting that the Buseok-sa Temple, with Korea's best statue of Biro-bul, is just northeast of here, in the same county and same mountain-chain). |
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| The front appearance and signboard of the new Three Sages Shrine of Biro-sa. This temple was founded by the legendary Master Euisang in 683 CE -- just after the unification of the "Three Kingdoms". He dedicated it to the Hwa-eom [Hua-yen, Lotus Sutra] school of Chinese Buddhism -- in which Biro-bul is the supreme diety -- which he studied in China and then established in the Shilla Kingdom with enthusiastic royal support. |
| The San-shin painting in the new Three Sages Shrine of Biro-sa is an excellent modern icon. he holds both the standard master's hiking-staff and Daoist General's white-crane-feather fan. It is unusual for including four Dongja servants (and 2 more on the beam above!) -- 2 is average -- a boy with angelic flying scarf offering ritual respect, another such one holding the mountain-staff with gourd attached (appearing to be doing a "happy jig" dance -- unique in Korea!!), a girl holding yeongji-beoseot (longevity herb) and a feather fan/banner, and finally another boy holding three of the Immortality Peaches (a Daoist sexual symbol). The tiger is realistic, the pine tree is stout, and the mountainous background is unusually rich with detail. |
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| The excellent matched Chil-seong [Seven Stars] and Dok-seong [Lonely Saint] paintings in that Three Sages Shrine of Biro-sa. Dok-seong features a stack of Buddhist sutras by his side, seven sacred White Cranes, and three boy Dongja-servants, one preparing Green Tea, cups in front of the brazier -- he doesn't seem very lonely at all. |
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| The view of Biro-sa and envroins from that Three Sages Shrine, and the pagoda in the courtyard -- newly built out of a variety of Shilla, Goryeo and Joseon monuments. |