Stupa of Buddhist Monk Gwangja at Taeansa Temple, Gokseong

This Goryeo-period stupa, standing at the entrance to Taeansa Temple, enshrines the sarira of Master Gwangja. Master Gwangja was the second patriarch of Taeansa; he was born in the fourth year of King Gyeongmun (864) and passed into nirvana in the second year of King Hyejong (945) at the age of eighty-two. His courtesy name was Beopsin and his Dharma name was Yunda. The stupa is octagonal in plan from base stone to finial, following the typical form in which the body is placed above the pedestal. An unusually low middle stone sits above a lower stone carved with vine and lotus patterns, while the upper stone bears two rows of sixteen-petalled lotus flowers, giving it an elegant appearance. The body stone is carved on both front and back with an incense burner resting on a table, flanked by relief carvings of the Four Heavenly Kings. The roof stone is rather tall but thins toward the eaves, lessening its sense of heaviness. Unusually, the finial at the top survives complete. The stupa as a whole has survived in an almost perfect state, displaying flawless formal beauty, and the composition and carving technique of each part are refined and harmonious.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

Sunrise-Sunset

Closed

N/A (Open all year round)

Admission

Individuals: Adults 1,500 won/ Students 1,000 won<br> Groups: Adults 1,200 won / Students 800 won<br><br> * Groups - 30 people or more

Parking

Available

Information

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330<br> (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese)<br>• For more info: +82-61-363-6669

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Gokseong, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물