Stupa of Bogyeongsa Temple, Pohang

Standing halfway up the hill behind Bogyeongsa Temple, this stupa enshrines the sari (relics) of State Preceptor Wonjin. State Preceptor Wonjin, Sin Seung-hyeong (申承逈), was a monk of the mid-Goryeo period; when he died at the age of 51, King Gojong posthumously honoured him as State Preceptor and granted him the posthumous title "Wonjin". Of the lower, middle and upper stones making up the platform, the octagonal lower stone is formed of three tiers, with a lotus carving encircling only the topmost tier. The middle stone has pillar-shaped carvings at each of its eight corners. The upper stone bears a raised lotus design with pointed petal tips and a raised central vertical line, a feature rarely seen at the time. The body stone is very tall, giving it the appearance of a stone pillar, and lock-shaped designs are carved on its front and back. The roof stone has a gentle slope on its rain-drip surface, and a small flower ornament rises at the end of each curving line extending from the corners; the eaves curve up lightly at both ends and appear thick. The finial above the roof stone consists of a bokbal (an upturned-bowl-shaped ornament) set on a fully-bloomed lotus base, topped with a stone carved with a lotus design and finished with a boju (a lotus-bud-shaped ornament); it is well preserved, so its original form can be clearly seen. Overall the stupa is based on an octagonal plan, but because the body stone is excessively tall, the whole appears elongated, and its narrow width gives it a lack of stability. The carving on each part is also simplified in many places, giving an impression that is plain and unadorned.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

06:00-18:00

Closed

N/A (Open all year round)

Parking

Available

Information

+82-54-262-1117

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Pohang, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물