Jeongtosa Temple Hongbeop Stupa

SOUTH KOREA, Seoul

This memorial stupa is known as Silsangtap, which means True Form Stupa. It is dedicated to National Master Hongbeop and was originally located to Jeongtosa (Pure Land Temple). Master Hongbeop went to China to study Chan Buddhism and on his return was appointed Royal Mentor by King Seongjong (reigned 981–997) of the Goryeo dynasty. He played an important part in propagating Seon Buddhism in Korea. The stupa is thought to have been built in 1017 during the Goryeo dynasty. It was moved to Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1915 and was relocated to the National Museum of Korea in 2005. It was listed as National Treasure No. 102 in 1962.
The 2.6 m high stupa is sculpted from granite and stands on a two-layered base. It has a plain octagonal base platform, on which stands the base shaped like a Sumeru throne and consisting of three sections. The lower section is a representation of an inverted lotus. The middle section is exquisitely carved with a dragon in clouds. The upper section is carved to form an upright lotus. The stupa body has a unique oblate spheroid shape, decorated with flower designs at the intersection of the central horizontal and vertical lines. Above the body there is an octagonal pyramidal roof, under which there are carvings of apsaras. Originally there was an elegant typanum at the end of each roof ridge. Since the spire is no longer extant, its original shape is unknown. The striking appearance of the stupa is the result of an innovative combination of the traditional octagonal base and roof with an oblate spheroid body.