Stele of Buddhist Monk Gwangja at Taeansa Temple, Gokseong

This memorial stele stands at Taeansa Temple and was erected for the Goryeo-period Buddhist monk Great Master Gwangja, whose personal name was Yunda. Great Master Gwangja was the monk who brought about Taeansa's second great flourishing. He was born in the fourth year of King Gyeongmun's reign (864) and left home to become a monk at the age of eight. He travelled in all directions and practised austerities on Mount Dongni, then received the monastic precepts at Gayagapsa Temple before returning to Mount Dongni, where he became a full monk. He died in the second year of King Hyejong's reign (945) at the age of eighty-two, and the king bestowed on him the posthumous title "Gwangja". The stele's body, on which the inscription was carved, has been destroyed and only a few fragments survive; today only the capstone remains, resting on the turtle-shaped base. Although the turtle's neck appears short, the carving of its head and the front of its body is realistic and richly detailed. On its back is carved a pedestal for holding the stele slab, but the pattern visible on its side is difficult to identify. On the capstone, the heads of hornless dragon-like creatures project from each of the four corners, and on the front a bird resembling a bird of paradise is carved in relief. This kind of bird carving also appears clearly on the East Seungtap (a monk's memorial stupa; National Treasure) and the North Seungtap (National Treasure) at Yeongoksa Temple in Gurye. Because the stele body is damaged, the inscription is now almost impossible to read, but fortunately its full text, with a few characters missing, is preserved in the Joseon geumseok chongnam, a compendium of Korean epigraphy. It records the process by which Great Master Gwangja left home and received and transmitted the Buddhist teaching, an episode in which he discussed matters of faith with King Hyogong, and the fact that he was treated with great favour by King Taejo of Goryeo. The inscription was carved after ruled lines had been drawn, and overall it conveys a robust vigour together with a quiet, understated energy, clearly showing that calligraphy had developed considerably compared with the Unified Silla period. This stele, in which a fresh intent to express varied ornamentation can be glimpsed in its many carvings, was erected in the first year of King Gwangjong's reign (950), five years after the great master's death.

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