Stele of Master Honggak at Seollimwon Temple Site, Yangyang

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.446

Category

Books & Records

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1966

Location

양양군, 강원특별자치도— 강원 양양군 서면 황이리 산89번지

Coordinates

37.945360, 128.515941

This stone stele, located at the site of Seollimwon Temple, was built to commemorate the life and achievements of Master Honggak. It is assumed to have been erected in 886 (the first year of the reign of King Jeonggang of the Silla Dynasty). In general, steles consist of a tortoise-shaped pedestal, main body, and ornamental to. However, only the pedestal and ornamental capstone of this stele were found intact. Some surviving parts of the main body bearing an inscription were kept at Chuncheon National Museum until 2008, when it was restored and attached to the other parts of the stele. The tortoise-shaped pedestal was replaced by a dragon holding engraved with hexagonal patterns on its back. The rectangular stone on the back supporting the main body of the stele is carved with patterns of clouds and lotus flowers, while the ornamental capstone is engraved with vivid cloud and dragon designs. The middle of the capstone bears the words, ‘Stele for Master Honggak’. According to the inscription on the stele and Daedonggeumseokseo (Record of the Repair of the Stele), Master Honggak, a cultivated man with a wide knowledge of the Chinese classics, was followed by many people. The inscription was written by Uncheol, imitating the calligraphic style of Wang Xizhi, a famous Chinese calligrapher, suggesting that latter’s style was widely admired and imitated during the late Silla period.

Location