Stele of Buddhist Monk Jeunggak at Silsangsa Temple, Namwon

This is the memorial stele for the Buddhist monk Jeunggak, located at Silsangsa Temple. Jeunggak, also known as State Preceptor Hongcheok and Patriarch Namhan, was an eminent monk who travelled to Tang China during the reign of King Heongang of Unified Silla and, after returning to Korea in 826, the first year of King Heungdeok, founded the Silsangsa school, one of the Nine Mountain Schools of Seon Buddhism. The stele has lost its body stone, and only the turtle-shaped base and the capstone survive today. The base faithfully follows the form of an actual turtle's head, rather than stylising it as a dragon's head. The capstone displays fine carving in the tradition of the stele at the Tomb of King Taejong Muyeol in Gyeongju, and its front centre bears the inscribed title "Eungnyotapbi". The stele is thought to have been made in the mid-9th century, and, like the Silla-period stele at the Tomb of King Muyeol in Gyeongju, it shows the classic form of Korean stone steles well. The Stupa of Buddhist Monk Jeunggak at Silsangsa Temple, Namwon (Treasure), the master's memorial stupa, stands on the hill behind this stele.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namwon, Jeonbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물