North Buddhist Stupa of Seonamsa Temple, Suncheon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1184

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려전기

Designated year

1993

Location

순천시, 전라남도— 전남 순천시 승주읍 선암사길 450, 선암사 (죽학리) / (지번)전남 순천시 승주읍 죽학리 산48-1 선암사

Coordinates

34.998183, 127.327880

Stupa symbolizes the grave of monks and enshrines bone cremains or sarira. Located at Seonjoam Hermitage on a quiet mountainside 400 m north from the center of Seonamsa Temple, this stupa is built on the stylobate consisting of three supporting stones made in an octagonal shape. The bottom base of the stylobate has carvings of lion image and cloud design; the middle one has symbolic images of the elephant’s eyes, whereas the top one has 8 carved sides of lotus design. The body stone has corner pillars on every side, with its front and rear sides having carvings of door and lock design and the front side having Inwang (guardian spirit) image on each of the right and left sides. The heavy roof stone has carvings of large flower decoration that stretches upward at every corner. Carvings of wheel and finial with lotus bud shape remain as the head ornament at the top. This stupa seems to have been made during the early Goryeo Dynasty, judging from the technique and carving style of lion image, cloud design, lotus shape, and Inwang image.

Location