Stele of Buddhist Monk Nangwon at Bohyeonsa Temple, Gangneung

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.192

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

강릉시, 강원특별자치도— 강원 강릉시 성산면 보현길 396, 보현사 (보광리)

Coordinates

37.736685, 128.769542

This stele was erected for Buddhist monk Nangwon (834-930) in 940 (the 23rd year of the reign of King Taejo of the Goryeo Dynasty). The stele bears an epigraph about his life and achievements including the reverence of King Gyeongae of the Silla Dynasty, who treated Nangwon with great respect. When Nangwon died at the venerable age of 96, King Taejo granted him the posthumous title of 'Nangwon' and named the stupa 'Ojin'. The stele consists of a pedestal, main stone, and capstone. The tortoise-shaped pedestal features a dragon's head and clouds and hexagonal designs on its back. The capstone, lavishly engraved with two dragons and a lotus flower, has a finial comprising a bokbal (over-turned bowl), a single-tiered boryun (mast with nine discs), and a boju (magic bead) surrounded by flames. Erected ten years after the death of Nangwon, the stele bears an inscription composed by Choe Eon-wi and handwritten by Gu Jok-dal, who was regarded as greatest writer and calligrapher of the period.

Location