Stone Lotus Basin of Beopjusa Temple, Boeun

Just east of the Heavenly Kings' Gate at Beopjusa Temple stands a small pond made of stone, in which a lotus was floated. In Buddhism the lotus stands for the pure land, and images of it turn up all over a temple. An octagonal base carries a spacer carved with mushroom-shaped cloud, which holds up the great bowl. The bowl is hollowed out of one large block and shaped as a half-open lotus, which suits its use and sits beautifully with its outer curve. Small lotus petals are turned simply round the bottom of its surface; above, large petals go round in a double row with ornate flowers carved within. It has since cracked and is held together with iron cramps. Round the rim short posts form a circular railing, and above them posts are carved again into a second railing, so that it seems to have two. The posts on the upper railing are a truly inventive idea and resemble those on the stone railing of the Dabotap Pagoda at Bulguksa Temple, which gives them an archaic air. The wall below the railing is carved with various patterns that add to the richness. It is a Unified Silla work of about the eighth century. Grace blooming inside a restrained richness, it deserves to be called the finest stone lotus basin there is.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

Sunrise-Sunset

Closed

N/A (Open all year round)

Admission

Individuals - Adults 5,000 won / Teenagers 2,500 won / Children 1,000 won<br> Groups - Adults 4,000 won / Teenagers 1,600 won / Children 800 won<br><br> * Adults (ages 19-65) / Teenagers (ages 13-18) / Children (ages 7-12)

Parking

Available (Temple parking lot)

Information

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 <br> (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)<br> • For more info: +82-43-543-3615

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Boeun, Chungbuk

Designation

National Treasure · 국보