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Stupa of Seongnamsa Temple, Ulju

울주 석남사 승탑 ( 蔚州 石南寺 僧塔 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Stupa of Seongnamsa Temple, Ulju
Quantity 1 stupa
Designated Date 1963.01.21
Age Unified Silla
Address Seongnamsa Temple San 232-2, Deokhyeon-ri, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan

Situated on wide open ground on a hill to the northwest of Seongnamsa Temple, this used to be called the Stupa of Doui, the monk who established the temple. It generally conforms to the standards of the octagonal stone stupa. The stylobate and the body are laid on an octagonal base. A lion and clouds are engraved prominently on the two-tiered lower stylobate. The panel decoration design, with the symbolic images of the elephant’s eyes like a flower rising low toward the inside from the center of right, left, upper and lower lines, is engraved at the center of each surface of a drum-shaped middle stylobate. Within the panel design is a flower shape in the center with the belt connected to both sides. Lotus patterns are engraved on the upper stylobate which supports the body of the stupa. The body is octagonal with pillar shapes engraved on the edges. On the front and rear sides of the body there is a sculpted door each, but a lock is engraved only on the front side. A standing Guardian of Buddhism is placed at each side of the door. The eaves of the roof stone are short, and the rafter and the furrow in the tiled roof are represented distinctly. The head decorations are laid one over another on the top. Overall this stupa appears long because each part composing the stupa is high compared to its width. The stylobate is so narrow that the stupa appears to be unstable. The patterns of cloud on the lower stylobate and the statues of Guardian of Buddhism on the body are represented formally. Seeing the symbolic images of the elephant’s eyes on the middle stylobate, the stupa dates later than expected. It is a great achievement, perfectly preserved. When it was taken to pieces and repaired in 1962, the space in which the sarira reliquary had been placed was found in the middle stylobate, but there remained no sarira reliquary.