Stupa at Bocheonsa Temple Site, Uiryeong

Bocheonsa Temple, also known as Suamsa Temple, is said to have been founded during Unified Silla under King Gyeongdeok. The stupa, a memorial monument enshrining a Buddhist monk's remains, stands in a valley on the northern hillside of the temple site, faithfully following the basic octagonal form throughout. On a square base stone rest the lower, middle and upper platform stones of the pedestal. The lower platform stone is made in two tiers, divided by a stone band, and its upper tier bears dragon and cloud patterns carved in shallow relief. The middle platform stone is also octagonal, with pillar shapes carved at each corner and oval carvings set into each face. The upper platform stone is carved with sixteen lotus petals arranged in two layers. The body of the stupa has pillar-shaped carvings at each corner, and only one of its eight faces bears a carved door and lock. The roof stone is very thick, with lines rising in high relief from the crown toward each corner and a large flower ornament set at every tip. The finial has entirely disappeared. Overall the piece is distinguished by faces that curve inward, and the dragon and cloud pattern on the lower platform stone appears somewhat lacking in vigour, which counts as a flaw. The heaviness and thickness of the roof stone is a feature that emerges as the style develops over time, suggesting the stupa was built in the early Goryeo period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Uiryeong, Gyeongnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물