Stone Pedestal at Godalsa Temple Site, Yeoju

Godalsa Temple was founded in 764, the twenty-third year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla, but who founded it is not known for certain. This stone Buddha pedestal remains in its original place, although the Buddha statue it once supported has been lost; the pedestal itself is in almost perfect condition. The pedestal is made up of three tiers - upper, middle and lower - each carved from a separate stone, and the upper surface, where the Buddha statue once stood, is finely finished. Lotus petals are carved in symmetrical rows around both the lower and upper tiers. Although this pedestal is square and massive in scale, it gives an impression of suppleness, owing to the rhythmic, swelling depiction of the lotus petals. This manner of depicting lotus petals is very similar to that on the lower tier of the Seungtap (a monk's stupa, a National Treasure) at Godalsa Temple Site, Yeoju, and the arrangement spreading outward to left and right from a central petal is a stylistic feature common to the Goryeo period. It is a masterpiece among square pedestals for its fine carving; since the Seungtap on the same temple site follows the general style of the early Goryeo period, this pedestal too is thought to have been made in the latter half of the tenth century.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

Open 24 hours

Admission

Free

Parking

Available

Information

+82-31-887-3561

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Yeoju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Treasure · 보물