Wonwonsa Temple Site, Gyeongju

This is the site of a Unified Silla-period temple at the foot of Bongseosan Mountain. Wonwonsa Temple is said to have been founded through the joint efforts of Anhye and Nangyung, successors of Esoteric Buddhism, together with Kim Yu-sin, Kim Ui-won and Kim Sul-jong, to pray for peace in the nation. The site preserves the location of the main hall, two three-storey stone pagodas, a stone lantern and several stupas. The pagodas stand to the east and west and are almost identical in scale and form; they were restored during the Japanese colonial period. Carved on them are figures of the twelve zodiac guardians and the Four Heavenly Kings, of such fine quality that they reveal the excellence of Unified Silla sculpture. Between the two pagodas stands a stone lantern, and four stupas are distributed across the eastern and western valleys, all thought to date from the Goryeo period or later. Together with Sacheonwangsa Temple and Geumgwangsa Temple, both founded by Master Myeongnang, Wonwonsa was a centre of Esoteric Buddhism from the Unified Silla period through the early Goryeo period, and its tradition appears to have continued into the late Joseon period. The quality of the pagoda carvings shows that this was once a temple of considerable standing.

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Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Historic Site · 사적