Dogapsasumiwangsa Temple Stele

This stele stands within the grounds of Dogapsa Temple and records the life and activities of State Preceptor Sumi, who came from Yeongam. Sumi was a Buddhist monk of the Joseon dynasty who left home to enter the priesthood at the age of thirteen, and was later revered as royal teacher (wangsa) by King Sejo, a devout patron of Buddhism. The stele takes the usual form of a stele body set on a tortoise-shaped base and capped with a capstone. The tortoise base is carved in a conventional style, its head transformed into that of a dragon, though the neck remains short; the front and back feet each have five claws. On the tortoise's back, a thick honeycomb-like hexagonal pattern is carved. The capstone above the stele body is carved with delicately rendered clouds, over which two dragons are depicted entwined as if contending with one another, at the centre and at both corners. The stele fell in the 14th year of King Seonjo (1581) and was re-erected; work began in the 7th year of King Injo (1629) and was completed in the 11th year of King Injo (1633). The carving throughout is skilful and the calligraphy of the inscription delicate and excellent, and it is notable that, unusually for a stone stele erected in the early seventeenth century, it faithfully follows the style and technique that had been popular in the Goryeo period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeongam, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산