Stele of Buddhist Monk Nangwon at Bohyeonsa Temple, Gangneung

This is the memorial stele of the Buddhist monk Nangwon (834–930), preserved at Bohyeonsa Temple. It records his life from birth, through King Gyeongae's honouring him with the deference due a State Preceptor in recognition of his virtue, to his death. When the monk passed away at the age of ninety-six, the king bestowed on him the posthumous title "Nangwon" and the stupa name "Ojin". The stele consists of a stele body set on a tortoise-shaped base and topped with a capstone. The tortoise base, bearing a dragon's head, has its shell filled with a hexagonal honeycomb pattern, and at its centre stands a tall seat for the stele decorated with cloud motifs. The capstone is carved with lotus flowers on its underside, above which two dragons are vigorously carved contesting a magic jewel. Unusually, its top is fitted, as on a stone stupa, with a bokbal (an ornament shaped like an overturned bowl) and a single tier of a boryun (a wheel-shaped ornament), topped with a boju (a lotus-bud-shaped jewel) wreathed in flames. The stele was erected in 940, the 23rd year of King Taejo of Goryeo, ten years after the monk's death; its inscription was composed by the celebrated writer of the age, Choe Eon-wi, and its calligraphy written by Gu Jok-dal.

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Where it is

Region

Gangneung, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물