Three-story Stone Pagoda at Geumdunsa Temple Site, Suncheon

A pagoda is a symbolic monument that typically enshrines the relics or remains of the Buddha. However, this stone pagoda at the site of Geumdunsa Temple is thought to contain the remains of the eminent Buddhist monk Jeoljung (a.k.a. Master Jinghyo, 826-900), who is said to have resided at this temple in his later years. This presumption is based on the pagoda's unusual location, situated in front of a Buddhist stele on a narrow patch of land to the east of the temple's former site rather than in front of its main worship hall as is standard, as well as on the inscription on the Stele of Buddhist Monk Jinghyo at Heungnyeongsa Temple Site in Yeongwol, which states that Monk Jeoljung's disciples built a stone pagoda to enshrine his remains at this temple in 906.

The stone pagoda consists of a two-tier base, three sets of body and roof stones, and a decorative top. Having been found in a collapsed state, the pagoda was reassembled in 1979, at which time the decorative top was newly made. Each side of the upper base tier is engraved with a pair of Buddhist guardian deity images, each with differing facial expressions, bodily angles, and hand postures. The first-story body stone features carved images of a door and lock on its front and back sides and a human figure presenting offerings to the Buddha on its left and right sides. The undersides of the roof stones are carved into five tiers, while the flat eaves curve upwards at the corners. Overall, the pagoda boasts an outstanding sculptural technique, with well proportioned parts designed in a refined and orderly style.

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