East Stupa of Borimsa Temple, Jangheung

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.155

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1963

Location

장흥군, 전라남도— 전남 장흥군 유치면 봉덕리 산10-1번지

Coordinates

34.808491, 126.899895

The East Stupa of Borinsa Temple is considered the best of the stupas located in the eastern forest of Borimsa Temple, which was built as the main temple of the Gajisan Order (the first of the nine major Orders of Zen Buddhism to be established in Korea), founded by Chejing at the request of King Heonan in 860 (the 4th year of the latter’s reign). The stupa consists of three octagonal parts including the three-layer stylobate, the main body enshrining a sarira, and the finial. The stylobate is composed of three tiers: the bottom and top tiers are engraved with a lotus design with eight petals, and each corner of those tiers is carved with a flower design. The middle tier is an octagonal pillar. One surface of the main body of the stupa is engraved with an old Korean-style door and a lock. The roof stone is narrow and low compared with the other parts. A little round pillar is placed on the middle part of the finial, and the top and bottom areas are decorated separately, exhibiting meticulous craftsmanship. Although, on the whole, the upper part of the main body of the stupa is high, the middle stone of the stylobate is small and low, giving the stupa an unstable appearance. Nevertheless, it is a valuable relic – all the more so as its well-made, undamaged finial is fully intact. Although it was erected during the late Unified Silla Period, it exhibits the characteristic style of the early Goryeo Dynasty, making the stupa an important material for the study of Korean stupas.

Location