Stupa of State Preceptor Beopin at Bowonsa Temple Site, Seosan

A stupa is a structure built to enshrine the relics or cremated remains of a Buddhist monk. This stupa at Bowonsa Temple Site honors Monk Tanmun (900-975), also known as State Preceptor Beopin.

Tanmun was a representative monk of the Hwaeomjong Order during the early period of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392). He became a royal preceptor in 968 and was promoted to state preceptor, the highest rank given to a Buddhist monk, in 975. That same year, however, he died while at Bowonsa Temple. In recognition of his virtues, the royal court bestowed him with the posthumous name Beopin, meaning "Seal of the Dharma." The royal court also commissioned the country's best artisans to make his stele and stupa. The stupa is presumed to have been made between 975, when Monk Tanmun died, and 978, when his stele was erected.

The octagonal pagoda consists of a platform, a three-tier pedestal, a body stone, a roof stone, and a decorative top, which is typical of the Unified Silla period (668-935). Each side of the platform is decorated with a carving of a lion inside a floral outline, while the bottom tier of the pedestal is decorated with cloud and dragon designs. The body stone is also decorated with images, including a door with a lock and a decorative dragon's head on the front and back and the Four Guardian Kings and bodhisattvas on the sides. The underside of the roof stone was carved to resemble the rafters of a wooden roof, while the corners of the eaves are carved into the shape of flowers, which is a common element among early Goryeo stone stupas.

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