Stupa of Silsangsa Temple, Namwon

This stupa was built on a grassy area some distance from the main precinct of Silsangsa Temple. Silsangsa Temple preserves many stone relics, including the east and west three-storey stone pagodas and stone lanterns, as well as pagodas and stone monuments, and it also holds an iron seated Buddha. In 1967 a bronze bell thought to date from the late Unified Silla period was found within the temple grounds. Following the general style of such stupas, the structure is octagonal throughout, from the base stone at the bottom to the roof. The lower base stone is beautifully carved with writhing dragons and cloud patterns, while the middle base stone bears no decoration. On the upper base stone, eight lotus petals open upward to support the body stone, with flower ornaments carved along each corner. The body stone has a shallow door carved on one side only, the other sides left plain. The roof stone has a steeply sloping upper surface, with small flowers decorating each of its eight corners. An unadorned round stone sits at the top, surmounted by a boju, a jewel-shaped ornament resembling a lotus bud, carved with a lotus design. Being rather elongated in proportion to its width, the stupa appears somewhat lacking in stability, yet it is nonetheless refined. Perhaps owing to the poor quality of the stone, the carving is simple and unadorned, and the flower ornament on the upper base stone in particular is badly worn. Even so, it ranks as a masterpiece among stupas of this type. It is thought to date from the early Goryeo period, faithfully carrying on the style of Unified Silla.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namwon, Jeonbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물