Stupa of Buddhist Monk Jeongjin at Bongamsa Temple, Mungyeong

This is the sari stupa of Buddhist Monk Jeongjin, whose personal name was Geungyang, at Bongamsa Temple. Standing away from the temple precinct, near a hillside north of the temple entrance, its location shows that a scenic spot was deliberately chosen for its construction. Buddhist Monk Jeongjin (878–956) trained at Gaechosa Temple from the first year of King Hyogong of Unified Silla (897); he travelled to Tang China in the third year of King Hyogong (899) and returned in the first year of King Gyeongae (924), after which he passed through Baegamsa Temple before coming to Bongamsa Temple, where he brought great prosperity to the temple. Every part of this stupa is octagonal, and the base supporting the body stone is elaborately decorated throughout with floral carvings and patterns of clouds, dragons and lotus flowers, symbols of the Buddhist world. The tall octagonal body stone has pillar carvings at the corners of each face, and a lock-shaped carving only on the front face, while the other seven faces are left uncarved. The roof stone is excessively thick, giving a heavy, dull impression, and only a lotus-shaped finial remains at the top. Erected in the sixteenth year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo (965), the stupa imitates in style the Stupa of Buddhist Monk Jijeung of Bongamsa Temple, Mungyeong, which still stands within the temple, but is somewhat inferior in its basic composition, sense of proportion and carving technique.

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Where it is

Region

Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물