Three-story Stone Pagoda of Bongamsa Temple, Mungyeong

This pagoda stands in the site of Bongamsa Temple, which was made in the Unified Silla Era. Bongamsa Temple was founded in the fifth year of King Heongang(879) by Monk Jiseon who returned from Tang. Since then this temple has been devoted for meditation in Zen Buddhism up to now. The pagoda was made up of three parts, the base section to come under the terrace stones of the building, the body section as a main part of pagoda and the upper section. While a pagoda usually takes the form that the three­story body section is put on above the two­story base stone, which shows the typical features of the Silla Era pagoda, this forms that above the three­story body section is put on above the one­story base. It is peculiar that the below facet of the prop stone to come in touch with the earth is put on the prop like a turned­over bowl, which is guessed that this may be the lower base but it is too wide to be such. Another character is that the head ornament remains as it was and it is a valuable case which becomes the standardization of the Korean stone pagoda. The top ornaments are placed at the highest part and several components are orderly put on, so the part is so decoratively furnished. It has a unique base and also the body section is well proportioned and balanced in every floor. This pagoda is guessed as a work made during the reign of King Heondeok around the 9th century.

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