Stupa of State Preceptor Hongbeop from Jeongtosa Temple Site, Chungju

The stupa of the State Preceptor Hongbeop, a monk of King Mokjong's reign in Goryeo. It stood at the old site of Jeongtosa in Jungwon (now Chungju), North Chungcheong, was moved to Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1915, and is now in the National Museum of Korea. Hongbeop was a celebrated monk active from late Unified Silla into early Goryeo, who trained in Tang China and returned to spread Seon (Zen). Under King Seongjong he became a great Seon master, and under King Mokjong he received the title of State Preceptor. The base has a square ground stone, an octagonal lower stone, a tall support carved with inverted lotus, the middle stone, and an upper stone set on top. The middle stone is finely carved with dragons riding clouds, and the upper stone with upturned lotus mirroring the lotus below. The most distinctive part is the body stone, which is a sphere. It is carved with a cross pattern, as though the ball were tied crosswise and lengthwise, with flowers where the bands meet. The roof stone has little ornament, but carved flowers at each of its eight corners catch the eye — sadly, most are lost. Flying celestials are carved on the deeply hollowed, hat-shaped underside of the roof stone. Its overall composition keeps the Silla octagonal form while trying something new in parts; it was made in 1017, the eighth year of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo. Called 'the egg stone' for its spherical body, it is a representative Goryeo stupa of a new technique, its fine carving and plain patterns in harmony, giving it a soft feel.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Designation

National Treasure · 국보