Stele of State Preceptor Jingak at Wollamsa Temple Site, Gangjin

Wollamsa Temple was founded in the mid-Goryeo period by State Preceptor Jingak, but no records survive from after its founding. State Preceptor Jingak's family name was Choe and his given name was Hyesim; he passed the sama examination at the age of twenty-four, but after his mother's death he entered the monkhood. Following his ordination he trained under State Preceptor Bojo, and when King Gojong ascended the throne he was made Grand State Preceptor. He died in 1234, the twenty-first year of King Gojong, at the age of fifty-seven. This stele, standing on the site of Wollamsa Temple, was erected in memory of State Preceptor Jingak, the temple's founder. It takes the form of a stele body set upon a tortoise-shaped base. The tortoise holds a jewel in its mouth, its long neck raised and its four legs planted firmly, giving it a very powerful and lifelike appearance; the realism of its claws and the detailed carving of its neck and head harmonise well with the overall balance of the piece, making it all the more striking. The stele body is said to have originally been very large, but its upper portion has broken away and only the lower part remains; the surface is so badly worn that the inscription can barely be read. The inscription is said to have been composed by the writer of the time, Yi Gyu-bo, and the stele is presumed to have been erected during the reign of King Gojong of Goryeo.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gangjin, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물