Three-story Stone Pagoda of Pyochungsa Temple, Miryang

A pagoda is a symbolic monument enshrining the relics or remains of the Buddha. Although not all pagodas contain the true remains, they are nonetheless worshiped as sacred places that enshrine the Buddha.

This three-story stone pagoda is presumed to have been made during the late period of Unified Silla (668-935). It measures 7.7 m in height. The stone lantern in front of the pagoda is also presumed to have been made in the same period.

The pagoda is composed of a one-tier base, three sets of body and roof stones, and a decorative top. The body and roof stone at each story are each a single piece of rock. The second- and third-story body stones are dramatically shorter than the first-story body stone. The undersides of the roof stones are carved into four tiers, and there are small bells fastened to the slightly upward-turned corners. The decorative top is partially damaged, but the 1 m tall iron rod remains.

Originally, a Buddhist temple called Yeongjeongsa was founded here during the Unified Silla period. The name Yeongjeongsa means “Temple with an Auspicious Spring." In 1839, the shrine of the Buddhist monk Yujeong (1544-1610, also known as Master Samyeong), who served as an army commander during the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598, was moved here, at which time the temple was renamed Pyochungsa, meaning "Temple Devoted to Honorable Deeds."

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