Ordination Platform of Yongyeonsa Temple, Dalseong

Also called the Geumgang Altar, this stone altar, believed to enshrine original relics (Sharira) of the Buddha, is a sacred place for an important Buddhist ritual, the ordination ceremony, in which monks are initiated to the code of conduct and rules of ethics of Buddhism. There are only three sacred altars of this type in Korea. The other two can be found at Geumsan-sa Temple in Gimje and at Tongdo-sa Temple in Yangsan.

There is no image of Buddha on the altar, because the sharira itself is the object of worship here. Atop a square double-foundation is the bell-shaped body of the enshrining stupa. The upper base stone is carved with Sinjang statuse that protect the Dharma (Buddha's teachings), while at the corners of the lower section there are statues of the Four Heavenly Kings who serve as guardians. The railing surrounding the altar was added in 1934.

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