Three-story Stone Pagoda of Samhwasa Temple, Donghae

This stone pagoda stands at Samhwasa Temple. It consists of a three-storey body raised on a two-tier foundation. The foundation, which appears relatively tall, has pillar-shaped carvings at the corners and in the centre of each side on both tiers. A separate supporting stone was placed on the topmost stone of the foundation to bear the weight of the pagoda body. The body is built up by alternating body stones and roof stones, gradually diminishing in size towards the top. Although cracked in several places and partially damaged, it survives largely intact, with a well-balanced and refined appearance. Judging from the form of the foundation and the use of a separate stone to support the body, the pagoda is thought to date from the latter half of the 9th century. In April 1997 the pagoda was dismantled and moved from its original site in front of Daeungjeon Hall to its present location, and then restored. During this process a wooden chest was found inside the upper tier of the foundation. It contained twenty-five miniature pagodas carved from steatite, two fragments of a bronze Buddha pedestal, six pieces of iron, and a single sheet of paper bearing a written record.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Donghae, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물