Three-story Stone Pagoda at Seollimwon Temple Site, Yangyang

Seollimwon Temple Site drew attention in 1948 when a Silla bronze bell bearing an inscription was discovered there. The site also preserves a stone pagoda, a stone lantern, the memorial stele for the stupa of Master Honggak, and a stone stupa, among other relics; most of these stone remains had toppled over but have since all been restored. This pagoda is a typical Silla-style stone pagoda, with a three-story body set on a two-tier base, and has been restored to its original position south of the site of the main hall. The foundation was built from several stone slabs, and on the lower tier of the base, pillar shapes are carved at the corners and centre of each face. The upper tier of the base likewise has carved pillars at the corners and centre of each face; each face is divided into two sections, on which the Eight Divisions (guardian deities of the Buddhist Law) are carved in relief. The pagoda body consists of a body stone and a roof stone for each story, each cut from a single block. The first-story body stone is relatively tall, while the second-story body stone is reduced by half, and pillar shapes are carved at the corners of each body stone. The roof stones are broad; the roof slopes steeply down before curving slightly upward at the four corners of the eaves, and the underside of each has five tiers of support blocks. The finial includes a noban (the base of the finial), with a hole where an iron finial pole was once inserted, above which sits a stone shaped like a boju (a lotus-bud-shaped ornament), though this does not appear to be the original piece. Although the pagoda shows refined proportions overall, the carving of the Eight Divisions figures is somewhat weak, and the arrangement of the stones has lost some of its regularity. It faithfully follows the style of Silla stone pagodas, but judging from the construction of the base and the carving technique of each part, it is presumed to date from around the 9th century, close to the late Silla period. Before restoration work began, about 60 miniature pagodas and one bronze bell were discovered in the base. In front of the pagoda stands a worship stone carved with ansang, arch-shaped decorative motifs.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yangyang, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물