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Stele of State Preceptor Wongak at Yeongguksa Temple, Yeongdong

영동 영국사 원각국사비 ( 永同 寧國寺 圓覺國師碑 )

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Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Stele of State Preceptor Wongak at Yeongguksa Temple, Yeongdong
Quantity 1 stele
Designated Date 1971.07.07
Age The 10th year of the reign of King Myeongjong of Goryeo (1180)
Address Yeongguksa Temple San 138-1, Nugyo-ri, Yangsan-myeon, Yeongdong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do

This stele located inside Yeongguksa Temple was erected in memory of State Preceptor Wongak, a famous monk of the middle Goryeo period. State Preceptor Wongak became a monk at a young age, reaching the status of chief monk not long after. As he entered Nirvana in 1174 (the 4th year of the reign of King Myeongjong), the king put his remains in Yeongguk Temple. The stele has an ordinary structure composed of turtle-shaped base, stele body, and stele top. The turtle-shaped base is in the typical style of Goryeo. The head of the turtle, which looks like that of a dragon, is less sophisticated than the former, and it has neither hexagonal patterns on the turtleback nor vine patterns on the spot linked to the bottom of the stele. The stele body, which has lost its bottom part, has been damaged considerably. The stele top is engraved with perfunctory cloud and dragon patterns, and the middle of its front has an epitaph (“the stele of State Preceptor Wongak”). Its overall shape looks heavy, which characterizes the style of that era. The stele base is larger than its body, looking stable, but its excessively large top makes it look heavy. According to Daedong Geumseokseo, the epitaph was written by Han Mun-jun, and the stele was erected in 1180 (the 10th year of the reign of King Myeongjong of Goryeo).