Stone Pagoda at Anguksa Temple Site, Dangjin

This pagoda stands on the site of Anguksa Temple. The exact year the temple was founded is unknown, but relics discovered within the temple grounds suggest that it was established during the Goryeo period. The temple later fell into ruin during the Joseon period; in 1929 the monk Im Yong-jun became abbot and rebuilt it, but it soon fell into ruin again, and today only the site remains. Besides this pagoda, the Stone Standing Buddha Triad at Anguksa Temple Site, Dangjin (treasure), is also preserved on the site. The pagoda's base, or stylobate, is simpler than that of other pagodas, and the body stones of the second storey and above are missing, leaving only the roof stones stacked one on another, which gives the whole a somewhat makeshift appearance. Of the pagoda body, only the first-storey body stone survives; pillars are carved in relief at each corner, a door shape is carved on one side, and seated Buddha images are carved in relief on the other three sides. The roof stone of each storey looks large and heavy, and reaches deep in under the eaves, exposing the four-tiered support blocks beneath on the outside. Overall the pagoda lacks balance, and its carving is somewhat formulaic; the first-storey body stone is so small that it looks as if it were wedged between the base and the roof stones. It cannot be called an outstanding work, but it is an important pagoda that shows the characteristics of mid-Goryeo stone pagodas.

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Where it is

Region

Dangjin, Chungnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물