Jinjeonsa Temple Three-Tier Pagoda

SOUTH KOREA, Gangwon, Yangyang

The pagoda is located within the grounds of Jinjeonsa Temple, which no longer exists. The name of the temple was indicated by the Chinese characters for Jinjeonsa inscribed on fragments of tiles found at the site. The temple is believed to have been built by National Master Doui during the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935), and the pagoda was probably built in the late 8th century. The pagoda was listed as National Treasure No. 122 in 1966.
The 5 m high stone pagoda is built of granite and stands on a two-layer base. The lower layer is sculpted with central and corner pilasters, which frame apsaras seated on lotus thrones. The upper layer is formed of four stone slabs and is also sculpted with pilasters, in between which are the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors sitting on clouds and carrying weapons. The first tier of the pagoda has reliefs of the Buddhas of the Four Directions seated upon lotus thrones, each with a nimbus and aureole. Each tier of the body and each roof consists of a single stone, with corner pilasters carved on each tier. The roofs are supported by five layers of corbeling and are slightly upturned at the corners. Only the base of the spire is extant.
This pagoda is a typical example of the style of the Unified Silla period, as it has a two-layer base, three-tier body, and relief carvings.