Stele of Buddhist Monk Jeongjin at Bongamsa Temple, Mungyeong

Located at Bongamsa Temple, this is the stupa stele from the early Goryeo period for Great Master Jeongjin, who revived the temple. Great Master Jeongjin (878–956) was a monk active from the end of Unified Silla into the early Goryeo period. He entered Tang China in 900, the fourth year of King Hyogong, studied there for 25 years, and returned in 924, the first year of King Gyeongae, when he received the utmost respect from King Gyeongmyeong of Silla. In 935, the eighteenth year of King Taejo of Goryeo, he rebuilt Bongamsa Temple on a large scale for the second time, contributing to the revival of Buddhism. He was, in particular, the very person who led the early Goryeo kings Taejo, Hyejong and Jeongjong into the Seon school of Buddhism, and when he died at the age of 79, the king bestowed on him the posthumous title "Jeongjin" and the stupa name "Wono." The stele consists of a body stone erected on a tortoise-shaped base stone, topped with a capstone; the socket set in the centre of the tortoise's back to hold the stele body appears notably large. At the top, a boju (a lotus-bud-shaped ornament) wrapped in flame patterns is clearly carved and rises prominently. The stele was erected in 965, the sixteenth year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo; its overall form has been simplified and its carving technique shows a decline compared with earlier works. The inscription was composed by the eminent writer of the time, Yi Mong-yu, and written in calligraphy by the noted calligrapher Jang Dan-yeol.

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Where it is

Region

Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물