Stupa of Buddhist Monk Suam at Bokcheonam Hermitage of Beopjusa Temple, Boeun

This stupa stands side by side with the Stupa of Buddhist Monk Hakjo at Bokcheonam Hermitage of Beopjusa Temple, Boeun, on a flat plot of ground about 200 m east of Bokcheonam Hermitage of Beopjusa Temple. Its roof stone is somewhat simpler than that of the Hakjo stupa, but the two stupas are similar in their detailed workmanship. What is particularly noteworthy about this stupa is that its body stone bears the incised characters "秀庵和尙塔" ("Stupa of Buddhist Monk Suam"), and its middle pedestal stone bears a two-line inscription reading "成化十六年八月日立" ("erected in the eighth month of the sixteenth year of the Chenghua reign era"), which together identify both the subject of the stupa and the date of its construction. That is, it was built in 1480, the eleventh year of King Seongjong, and the monk Suam is thought to have been an eminent early Joseon monk associated with Bokcheonam Hermitage. The Stupa of Buddhist Monk Suam at Bokcheonam Hermitage of Beopjusa Temple, Boeun, is an early Joseon-period stupa carrying on the octagonal, hall-shaped stupa style of Goryeo, and it is distinguished by its outstanding craftsmanship. Because it records directly on the stupa itself both the name of its subject and the date of its construction, it serves as an important benchmark for establishing the absolute dates of Joseon-period stupas, and is a significant piece of cultural heritage.

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Where it is

Region

Boeun, Chungbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물