Stele of Buddhist Monk Sucheol at Silsangsa Temple, Namwon

This is the memorial stele for the Buddhist monk Sucheol, located at Silsangsa Temple. Sucheol was a monk of the late Unified Silla period who originally resided at Simwonsa Temple before entering Silsangsa Temple to pursue his religious training. He died in 893, the seventh year of Queen Jinseong, and the king is said to have bestowed on him a posthumous title and the name of his stupa. The inscription records Sucheol's life from birth to death, along with the circumstances behind the erection of his sarira stupa (a stupa enshrining Buddhist relics). Although he died at Silsangsa Temple, because he had been a monk of Simwonsa Temple, the inscription refers to him as "Sucheol of Simwonsa Temple". The author and calligrapher of the inscription are unknown, and the stele is badly worn and damaged. Unlike the typical form of steles of the period, this one does not rest on a turtle-shaped base; instead it stands on a rectangular base stone shallowly carved with six ogee-shaped niches (ansang). The socket in which the stele is set is bordered with a large lotus-flower design. The capstone is carved with two dragons amid clouds, facing each other as if contesting a magic jewel, and its front centre bears the inscribed title "Neungga Bowoltapbi"; the carving here shows a clearly formulaic style with weakened ornamentation. The stele is thought to have been erected during the reign of King Hyogong (r. 897–912), and its calligraphy follows the Ouyang Xun style that was popular around that period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namwon, Jeonbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물