Stele of State Preceptor Woneung at Unmunsa Temple, Cheongdo

This memorial stele at Unmunsa Temple records the life and achievements of State Preceptor Woneung (1051–1144), a monk of the mid-Goryeo period. Woneung left home to become a monk at an early age, travelled to Song China to spread the teachings of the Hwaeom school, and studied the doctrines and meditation practice of the Cheontae school before returning to Korea. He became a Seon master in 1109 and died at Unmunsa Temple at the age of ninety-three, in the 22nd year of King Injong's reign (1144). The stele originally consisted of three parts, a base, a body, and a capstone, but the base and capstone have both been lost, leaving only the body, which had been broken into three pieces and has since been restored. His life and achievements are inscribed on the front of the stele, and the names of his disciples are inscribed on the reverse. Because the stele is damaged, the exact date it was erected cannot be known, but the inscription records that in the year after the state preceptor's death King Injong bestowed on him the title of state preceptor and ordered Yun Eon-i to compose the text, suggesting that the stele was erected sometime after around 1145.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Cheongdo, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물