Three-story Stone Pagoda at Bocheonsa Temple Site, Uiryeong

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.373

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

의령군, 경상남도— 경남 의령군 의령읍 하리 797-1번지

Coordinates

35.309746, 128.234264

This is the pagoda that was built at Bocheonsa Temple early in the Goryeo Dynasty. Bocheonsa Temple was built during the reign of King Gyeongdeok of the Unified Silla, but the history after its foundation is not known. According to one tradition, there were too many bedbugs for the temple to be possible to live in, so all the monks left for other temples and this one was closed. It seems to have already disappeared before the mid Joseon Dynasty. Now at this temple site, the stupa (Treasure No. 472) also remains next to this pagoda. The Three-story Stone Pagoda is erected on a two-story stylobate. Although it is a pagoda of the Goryeo Dynasty, it follows the typical style of the Silla period. The base stone has a big stone for its support beneath each corner. The lower stylobate is engraved with pillar patterns in the four edges and in the middle of the four sides. The upper stylobate is unique, consisting of two long, flat stones laid side by side, with two small wide stones like boards inserted between them. Like the stone for support under the base stone, this unique structure seems to be a considerate device to keep the pagoda from falling. The upper stylobate is engraved with pillar pattern only in the four edges, not in the middle of the four sides. The main stone and the roof stone of the body, each made of one stone, were set up one by one reducing their size. In the case of the main stone there are obvious pillar patterns only on the edges, while the roof stone of gentle slope has 5-tiered base underneath. The upper lines of the eaves are almost level with each other, and they are curved up slightly at the corners. At the head part of the pagoda there remains only a final base. A water spray with a carved flame was laid on it a few years ago, but it has gone, pointing up the importance of preserving cultural inheritance. Overall the pagoda looks well balanced. It is a magnificent work, exceptionally unique in construction style of the stylobate. When the reliquary relics were stolen in 1967, the pagoda collapsed, but it was repaired immediately. At that time the vestige of sarira relinquary was found. A bronze Buddha image, a mandorla-shaped piece of copper and a pagoda made of clay were found inside the pagoda.

Location