Taeansa Jeoginseonsatap, Gokseong

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.349

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

2025

Location

곡성군, 전라남도— 전남 곡성군 죽곡면 태안로 622-215, 태안사 (원달리) / (지번)전남 곡성군 죽곡면 원달리 20 태안사

Coordinates

35.220200, 127.343400Museum-based location

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

Stupa of Seon Master Jeokin at Taeansamsa Temple, Gokseong. This monk's stupa marks the remains of Seon Master Hyecheol (慧徹, 785-861), who founded the Dokrisan School (桐裏山門), one of the Nine Mountain Seon Schools of Unified Silla. The stupa follows the standard octagonal-round-hall form on a separately constructed structural base, with vividly carved lion figures in relief on the lower base stone, wooden architectural elements simulated in stone on the body panels, and delicately flat-carved gate and Four Heavenly King images — dynamically sculpted reliefs and restrained decorative carving coexisting on the same monument. Overall proportions and sculptural form are outstanding, and the roof stones realistically recreate the eave curves and timber details of traditional Korean architecture, suggesting the finest stonemasons of the era. The companion stele inscription clearly records Seon Master Jeokin and the stupa's construction date of 861, establishing it as a chronological standard for Silla stone sculpture history. It is also the only Silla-period monk's stupa confirmed to have had a surrounding worship hall (탑전), providing a concrete documented example of memorial Buddhist devotion, and thus holds exceptional historical and academic value.

Location