Stupa of Buddhist Monk Tongil at Gagyeonsa Temple, Goesan

This stupa honors Tongil, a Buddhist monk who lived during the 10th century, around the end of the Unified Silla (668-935) and start of the Goryeo (918-1392) periods. A stupa is a structure containing the relics or remains of an eminent Buddhist monk.

Monk Tongil studied in Tang China during the end of Unified Silla. He was highly revered by Taejo (r. 918-943), the founding king of the Goryeo dynasty, and gave Buddhist lectures in the royal court. He oversaw a large-scale expansion of Gagyeonsa Temple. After he died, a stele recording his life and achievements was erected near the temple in 958 upon the order of King Gwangjong (r. 949-975). It is believed the stupa was also erected at this time.

The stupa was found collapsed at the current location in 1965 and was reassembled in 1982. It measures 2.3m in height.

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