Stele of Buddhist Monk Jinghyo at Heungnyeongsa Temple Site, Yeongwol

This stone stele was erected to commemorate the achievements of the Buddhist monk Jinghyo, who greatly developed Heungnyeongsa Temple, and it survives in an almost complete state. The stele body sits on a tortoise-shaped base stone, topped with a capstone carved with a dragon's head. The head of the tortoise base resembles a dragon's head, and it holds a magic jewel (yeouiju) in its mouth. The toes and claws are especially striking for their realistic carving. The nearly hemispherical shell is covered with elongated hexagonal patterns, and a square groove is set at the centre to hold the stele upright. On the capstone, four dragons face inward towards the centre; their eyes, nose and mouth are realistically carved, but the scales on their bodies are only faintly incised, remaining merely formal. The inscription records Jinghyo's life from his birth to his death. According to the inscription, Jinghyo became a monk at Janggoksa Temple at the age of 19 and died in the 4th year of King Hyogong (900), at the age of 75. The final section also praises the monk's accomplishments. The stele was erected 44 years after the monk's death, in the first year of King Hyejong of Goryeo (944); the text was composed by Choe Eon-wi, the calligraphy written by Choe Yun, and the carving done by Choe Hwan-gyu.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeongwol, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물