Stupa at Seollimwon Temple Site, Yangyang

Seollimwon Temple was founded by Master Suneung, who also founded Haeinsa Temple; the founding date became known when a Silla-period bronze bell inscribed with the year 804 was excavated from the temple site in 1948. This stupa was completely destroyed during the Japanese colonial period; in November 1965 its scattered parts were gathered and restored to their present location, though only the base survives today. The structure of the base shows that the stupa was fundamentally octagonal in plan, the form taken by most stone stupas of the Silla period. On a square base stone sit the lower, middle, and upper foundation stones of the pedestal. The lower foundation stone is in two tiers, and unusually its lower tier is carved from the same stone as the base beneath it. The upper tier bears eight large, double-layered lotus petals boldly carved, above which sit two thick tiers of cushioning mouldings. The middle foundation stone is almost spherical, and the high-relief carving of dragon and cloud patterns on it gives a very grand impression. The eight double-layered lotus petals carved on the upper foundation stone are executed in almost the same manner as those below. This stupa shows an outstanding sense of stability in the finishing of the top and bottom of the pedestal; the marked emphasis given to the lower foundation stone departs from the usual octagonal stupa style, indicating that it was made in the late Unified Silla period. Since the Stele of Master Honggak, which still stands at the temple site, identifies this very stupa as Master Honggak's memorial stupa, its construction can be dated precisely to the first year of King Jeonggang of Silla (886).

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yangyang, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물