Gyeongju Sonsun Remains

This is the site of the former residence of Son Sun, a celebrated example of filial devotion from the Silla period. It is said that a memorial stele inscribed with an epitaph composed by Heo Jeon, a scholar of the late Joseon period, once stood here. The filial conduct of Son Sun, who lived during the reign of King Heungdeok of Silla, is recorded in the Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). According to the chapter of this book titled "Son Sun Buries His Child," Son Sun of Moryang-ri and his wife, in order to support his mother, decided to bury their son alive because he kept eating the food meant for her. When they went into Chwisan Mountain and dug into the ground, they found a strange stone bell. Taking this as a sign from heaven, they did not bury the child, and instead carried the bell home and struck it, so that its sound was heard as far as the royal palace. On hearing of this, King Heungdeok praised Son Sun's filial devotion and granted him fifty seok of grain every year. Son Sun later donated his former house to be made into a temple called Honghyosa, where the stone bell was kept. Afterwards, during the reign of Queen Jinseong, fierce bandits of Later Baekje invaded the village, and the bell was lost, leaving only the temple standing.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물