Stupa of Buddhist Monk Jijeung at Bongamsa Temple, Mungyeong

This stupa enshrines the sariras of Priest Jijeungdaesa (824~882), the founder of Bongamsa temple. Built in 882 (the 8th year of King Heongang's reign), the pagoda features an octagonal roof and a rectangular platform made of several flat stone pieces and exquisitely inscribed ornaments. It is typical of the sarira pagodas made during the Silla Period. Overall, it is an impressive, imposing figure standing 3.41m tall (width of the platform stone: 2.28m).

Jijeung, a member of the Gyeongju Kim Clan, became a Buddhist monk at the age of 17. In 881 (the 7th year of King Heongang's reign), the King appointed him as a royal priest, but he declined the position and moved to Bongamsa where he passed away the following year. King Heongang anointed him Jijeung and named the pagoda for his sarira Jeokjo.

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