Stele of Royal Preceptor Wongyeong from Banyasa Temple Site, Hapcheon

This stele was erected in honour of Royal Preceptor Wongyeong; it originally stood at the old site of Banyasa Temple but was moved to its present location within the grounds of Haeinsa Temple in 1961. It consists of a tortoise-shaped base, a body, and a capstone, each part notably thin. According to the inscription, Royal Preceptor Wongyeong travelled to Song China together with State Preceptor Daegak, and after returning home became seungtong, head of the Buddhist clergy, in 1104, the ninth year of King Sukjong. He also served as teacher to King Yejong, and later, after residing at Gwibeopsa Temple, passed away there, whereupon the king bestowed on him the posthumous title "Wongyeong." The inscription was composed by Kim Bu-il, and the calligraphy was written by Yi Won-bu. Made in 1125, the third year of King Injong of Goryeo, this stele displays well, in its carving technique and the simple form of its capstone, the characteristics of the mid-Goryeo period. As a note, there are roughly three scholarly views on the birth and death dates of Royal Preceptor Wongyeong (Nakjin): first, the view of Katsuragi Suetsuji (in Joseon Geumseokgo), 1050–1119; second, the view of Yi Hong-jik (in the Dictionary of Korean History and the Dictionary of Korean Biography), 1045–1114; and third, the view of Heo Heung-sik (in Korean History Studies, no. 35), 1048–1116.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hapcheon, Gyeongnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물