Namyangju Heungguksa Temple Seongimdangtap

This budo (a stone stupa enshrining the relics of an eminent monk) stands on a low ridge a short distance northeast of the precincts of Heungguksa Temple. Except for the base stone, the pedestal and the roof stone (the stone that covers the top of a stone pagoda or lantern like a roof) are octagonal, while the body stone and the finial are circular, continuing the octagonal-pedestal, round-body style that had been popular since the Silla period. This budo belongs to the spherical type, in which the body stone — the most important element of a stone budo — is shaped like a sphere. The lotus design on the pedestal, the elongated "eye-shaped" (ansang) motifs to left and right, the tall roof stone, and the finial decorated with a beaded (yeonju) pattern all indicate that it was built in the late Joseon period. The octagonal pedestal, however, has corner posts in the form of small "child pillars" (dongjaju) set at the edges of the panel stones, a style favoured in budo and stone pagodas from the late Goryeo period through the Joseon period. An inscription on the upper part of the body stone, reading "Seongimdang Chukjon-ji-tap," shows that its subject's hall name (dangho) was Seongimdang and his Buddhist name (beopmyeong) was Chukjon. Heungguksa Temple underwent several royally sponsored repairs, showing that it was closely connected with the royal court in the late Joseon period. Judging from the budo's style and stone-carving technique, it appears to have been built around the 18th century, and it shows an affinity with budo that flourished mainly in Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do in the late Joseon period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namyangju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산