Stele of State Preceptor Wongong at Geodonsa Temple Site, Wonju

This stele stands at the Geodonsa temple site and records the life and career of the Goryeo-period monk State Preceptor Wongong. State Preceptor Wongong (930–1018) bore the Buddhist name Jijong and the secular surname Yi; the inscription sets out his life and achievements together with a eulogy praising his virtue. The stele consists of a body stone raised on a tortoise-shaped base and topped with a capstone, and it is distinctive in that the body of the stele is small while the capstone is large. The tortoise's head has the fierce look of a mythical beast, shaped like a dragon's head. The pattern carved on its back is close to a regular hexagon, and within each hexagon a swastika motif (卍) and a lotus design are carved in relief. On the capstone a dragon is carved writhing among the clouds, contending for a flaming magic jewel; the carving is highly realistic and richly ornate. The stele was raised in 1025, the 16th year of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo. The text was composed by the great scholar Choe Chung, known in his day as the 'Confucius of the East', and the calligraphy was written by Kim Geo-ung. The inscription is written in regular script, following the calligraphic style of China's Ouyang Xun. It is regarded as an outstanding example among the many Goryeo-period steles, in no way inferior even by comparison with Chinese work. A legend is also handed down about this stele: when the capstone was being moved, a stone that dozens of strong men could not shift was moved instead by a single ox borrowed from a farmhouse.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Wonju, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물