Three-story Stone Pagoda at Geumdunsa Temple Site, Suncheon

This pagoda stands within the ruins of a temple site on Geumjeonsan Mountain, about 2 km north of the centre of Nagan-myeon. The Dongguk yeoji seungnam records that 'Geumdunsa Temple stands on Geumjeonsan Mountain', leading to the identification of this site as Geumdunsa, and a small hermitage now stands here, carrying on the temple's name. The pagoda consists of a three-storey body set on a two-tier base. The lower tier of the base is carved to resemble pillars, while the upper tier bears pillar shapes and relief carvings of the Eight Legions, guardian deities of Buddhism. Each storey of the body is formed from a single body stone and a single roof stone. Pillar shapes are carved at each corner of the body stones, and on the first-storey body stone in particular, door panels fitted with locks are carved on the front and back, while figures making offerings of food and tea towards a Buddha image are carved on the two side faces. The roof stones each have five-tiered supports on the underside; the eaves are flat, and the sloping surfaces descend gently before curving up sharply at the four corners. As it displays the typical style of the Unified Silla period, the pagoda is presumed to have been built around the ninth century. The carving of offering figures on the first-storey body stone is an unusual feature, and the pagoda is well proportioned throughout, with refined carving technique. Behind the pagoda stands a stone standing Buddha, which is thought to be related to it in meaning.

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Where it is

Region

Suncheon, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물