Ordination Platform of Geumsansa Temple, Gimje

Geumsansa Temple, on Moaksan Mountain, was founded in 600, the second year of King Beopwang of Baekje, and was expanded for a second time by the monk Jinpyo during the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Unified Silla, taking on the character of a great temple. This stone bell, standing beside the five-story stone pagoda at Songdae within the temple grounds, is a bell-shaped stone pagoda. A square stone is placed on a very broad two-tiered base, and the pagoda is erected on top of it. Bell-shaped pagodas originate from Indian stupas and began to appear from the late Unified Silla period; because their shape resembles a Buddhist bell, they are known as stone bells. Each face of the base is carved with Buddhist images and with the Four Guardian Kings, the guardian deities of Buddhism. In particular, stone pillars carved with figures survive on the four faces of the lower base, suggesting that a stone balustrade once stood there, with the Four Guardian Kings set at each of its four corners. The four corners of the flat stone supporting the body of the pagoda are carved with lion heads, with a lotus pattern encircling the centre, and on this slab stands the bell-shaped body of the pagoda. At the top, nine dragons are carved with their heads facing outward, and above them two lotus-carved stones and a round stone are set as decoration. Judging from the carvings on the base and the stone balustrade set with images of the Four Guardian Kings, this is interpreted as a sarigyedan, a platform enshrining Buddhist relics (sari). It is the oldest stone bell of its kind, and is presumed to be an early Goryeo work, neat in form and richly carved.

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Where it is

Region

Gimje, Jeonbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물