Stupa of Yeongguksa Temple, Yeongdong

Yeongguksa Temple is thought to have been founded in the late Unified Silla period, and to have been rebuilt in the 12th century, during the reign of King Myeongjong of Goryeo, by State Preceptor Wongak. Under King Gojong of Goryeo, An Jong-pil, acting on royal order, newly built a pagoda, a stupa and a main hall (geumdang). The temple was then named Gukcheongsa, before being renamed Yeongguksa by King Gongmin. The stupa, a stone monument built to house the relics of an eminent monk, stands on a hill about 200 m south of Yeongguksa. It is divided into a base, a body and a finial, and is octagonal in plan overall. The lower base stone is carved from the same block as the ground slab, and each of the eight faces of the middle base stone bears a carved pattern. The sides of the upper base stone are decorated with a single tier of lotus petals, upper and lower. On one face of the body a rectangular door is carved, with a lock shape worked in relief within it. Each face of the roof stone is carved to imitate roof-tile ridges, which combine well with the curve of the eaves to give a light, buoyant impression. Of the finial, only the bokbal (an inverted-bowl-shaped ornament) and a jewel-shaped knob survive. Judging from its association with the stele for State Preceptor Wongak within the temple grounds, this stupa appears to have been built in the tenth year of King Myeongjong of Goryeo (1180).

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeongdong, Chungbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물