Twin Lion Stone Lantern in Front of the Stupa of Buddhist Monk Muhak at Hoeamsa Temple Site, Yangju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.389

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

조선시대

Designated year

1963

Location

양주시, 경기도— 경기 양주시 회암동 산8-1번지 회암사

Coordinates

37.849773, 127.108033

Hoeamsa Temple was constructed by Buddhist monk Jigong in 1328 during the reign of King Chungsuk of the Goryeo Dynasty, and expanded by his disciple, Naong. Yi Seong-gye, the first king of Joseon, supported the temple and underwent monastic discipline himself there after his abdication from the throne. At the east ridgeline of the temple site, the stupas of Jigong, Naong and Muhak stand side by side from north to south, and this stone lantern is located the most southerly among them. The base stone and the lower stylobate are made of one stone. The middle stylobate with carvings of twin lions follows the style popular since the Silla era. The lions are roughly carved so that their bodies are stuck together from the chest to the abdomen. On the upper stylobate are engraved eight lotus flowers. The light chamber of the stone lantern is also roughly made, simply by placing two stone plates in the left and right side each to make two space which function as windows. The thick roof stone has the eaves turned up in the shape of a half-circle at angled positions. The top of the roof is decorated with a lotus bud shaped ornament placed on a round stone. It is remarkable that the basic square form of this lantern departs from the typical octagonal form that had been the rule since the Three Kingdoms period. This lantern is believed to have been made in the early years of the Joseon Dynasty, judging from its similarity to the Lion Stone Lantern in Front of the Stupa of State Preceptor Bogak at Cheongryongsa Temple Site, Chungju (Treasure No. 656).

Location