Stele of State Preceptor Daegak at Seonbongsa Temple, Chilgok

This stone stele was erected to commemorate the achievements of State Preceptor Daegak (1055–1101), who established the Cheontae school of Buddhism. State Preceptor Daegak was a monk who set up the Directorate for the Publication of Buddhist Scriptures, collated and published texts from Song China and Japan, and completed the Sokjanggyeong (Supplement to the Buddhist Canon). He also unified the doctrinal (Gyojong) and meditation (Seonjong) schools, achieving a synthesis within Goryeo Buddhism. The stele consists of a body stone set upon a square base and capped with a roof stone; the base is carved with a lotus design and the roof stone with a scrolling vine design. The inscription records that State Preceptor Daegak was the fourth son of King Munjong, that his mother was Queen Inye, and that his courtesy name was Uicheon, along with the process by which he established the Cheontae school and his teachings. The stele was erected in 1132, the tenth year of King Injong of Goryeo. The inscription was composed by Im Jon and written by the monk In. The calligraphy has a distinctive style, with thin horizontal strokes and thick vertical strokes; the brushwork is powerful and the composition well ordered.

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Where it is

Region

Chilgok, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물