Stele of State Preceptor Jigwang at Beopcheonsa Temple Site, Wonju

This stele was erected to honor the life and achievements of State Preceptor Jigwang (984-1070), an eminent Buddhist monk of the Goryeo period (918-1392). After a monk’s death, a stupa, which contains his remains, and a stele were erected in his honor.

Born in Wonju, Jigwang became a monk at Beopcheonsa Temple in 991 and passed the state examination for monks in 1004. He served as an abbot for several temples and was invited by King Munjong (r. 1046-1083) to give lectures in the royal court. In 1054, he was appointed as the abbot of Hyeonhwasa, a temple in Goryeo’s capital, Gaeseong (in today’s North Korea), and oversaw a large-scale expansion of the temple with the support of the royal court. He was promoted to a royal preceptor in 1056 and a state preceptor, which was the highest position of monks, in 1058. In 1067, he retired and returned to Beopcheonsa Temple where he died in 1070.

His stele was erected in 1085. The inscription on the front records his life in detail, from birth to death, and the inscription on the back lists the names of his nearly 1,400 followers.

The tortoise-shaped pedestal, crown-shaped capstone, and stele body are exquisitely carved with diverse patterns such as lotus flowers, clouds, and dragons, showing the excellence of styles and techniques of that period. The stele is 4.55 m in height.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08