Gwangyang Songcheonsajihoeeunjangno Stele

This stele, standing on the site of Songcheonsa Temple, commemorates the life and achievements of the mid-Joseon-period monk Hoeeun. Hoeeun's family name was Gi, his courtesy name was Eungjun, and Hoeeun was his sobriquet. He left home to become a monk at a young age, and when the Manchu invasion of 1636 broke out during the reign of King Injo, he served as a staff officer among the monk soldiers raised by the Venerable Byeogam. In recognition of his merits the court appointed him Jeolchung (a military rank) and Commander-in-Chief of the monk troops of the two Ho provinces, and in 1647, the 25th year of King Injo, he rose to the rank of Gaseon-daebu and Commander-in-Chief of the monk troops of the Eight Provinces. In 1660, the first year of King Hyeonjong, his rank was raised to Jaheon and he became commander of the monk soldiers, and in 1663, the fourth year of King Hyeonjong, his rank was specially raised again to Jeongheon, in which capacity he took charge of military affairs. The stele consists of a base stone supporting the stele body, capped with a capstone. The front of the capstone is carved with two dragons contending over a magic jewel, while the back is finely carved with various creatures including a dragon, a crab, a frog and a soft-shelled turtle. The inscription is largely legible, though the stele body is considerably damaged in places, which is regrettable. According to the inscription, the stele was erected jointly by the inspector-general Park Sin-gyu, the magistrate of Gwangyang An Si-ik, and the monks of this temple, and it is dated to 1677, the third year of King Sukjong. The stele bears his sobriquet Hoeeun rather than his Buddhist dharma name, presumably because he was more prominently known for his exploits as a commander of monk soldiers than as an ordinary monk. He is styled "elder" in recognition of his virtue, and the fact that the inspector-general and the magistrate themselves took the lead in erecting the stele is unusual for a time when monks were generally held in low regard.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gwangyang, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산