Stele of Royal Preceptor Seongak at Hoeamsa Temple Site, Yangju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.387

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

양주시, 경기도— 경기 양주시 회암동 산8-1번지 회암사(귀부), 서울 종로구 우정국로 55 불교중앙박물관(비신)

Coordinates

37.850964, 127.107468

Located at the site of Hoeamsa Temple, this stele was erected to commemorate Naong, a monk of the Goryeo Dynasty. Naong (1320-1376) initiated into Buddhism at Hoeamsa in 1334. After he returned from study in Yuan China in 1358, he lived in retirement in Guwolsan and Geumgangsan Mountains, courteously refusing the king's summons. Finally, he returned to Hoeamsa where he conducted repairs on a large scale. He followed the Buddha-dharma faithfully until his death at Silleuksa Temple at the age of 57. He was granted a posthumous title Seongak and the stele was established one year after his death. The shape of the stele revived the old style of the Tang Dynasty. Without a roof stone, the upper part of the body is decorated with an inscription between carvings of two dragons. The stone tortoise bearing the memorial stone looks a little dull because it is carved in a simple style, while the dragons that decorate the upper part of the body are depicted in a neat and vivid way. The inscription about the life of Naong and his achievements was composed by Yi Saek and wrriten by Gwon Jung-hwa. The calligraphy is in the standard classic style, which was revived for the first time in the late Goryeo Dynasty on this memorial stone after the inscriptions on the tomb of King Gwanggaeto the Great and the Jungwon Goguryeo Monument. It is an example that indicates how far the study of the standard classic style had developed at that time.

Location