Master Byeogam Stele of Beopjusa Temple, Boeun

This stele, standing in the grounds of Beopjusa Temple, records the life and achievements of Master Byeogam. Byeogam was a monk of the mid-Joseon period whose dharma name was Gakseong; Byeogam was his pen name. During the Japanese invasions he took part in naval battles, and under King Injo, when Namhansanseong Fortress was being built, he was appointed Superintendent of Monks of the Eight Provinces and led monk-soldiers to complete the construction within three years. In 1636, the fourteenth year of King Injo, the Manchu invasion broke out and the king took refuge in Namhansanseong Fortress; Master Byeogam raised several thousand monk-soldiers and, together with troops from the Honam region, destroyed the invading forces. While he was on his way to Namhansanseong Fortress the war came to an end, so he sent the monks home and withdrew to Jirisan Mountain. In the autumn of 1646, the twenty-fourth year of King Injo, he stayed with his fellow disciple Huieon at Beopjusa Temple on Songnisan Mountain; when Huieon went to Hwaeomsa Temple and died there, Master Byeogam also went to Hwaeomsa Temple, where he lived until his death in 1660, the first year of King Hyeonjong, at the age of eighty-six. The stele consists of a broad base stone supporting the stele body, topped by a rather heavy, plain capstone. It was erected in 1664, the fifth year of King Hyeonjong of Joseon, and the inscription was written by Prince Nangseon, a grandson of King Seonjo.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Boeun, Chungbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산