Kumgangsan Kumgangam Hermitage Lion Pagoda

NORTH KOREA, Kangwon, Kumgang

The Lion Pagoda is located within the ruins of Kumjangam (Diamond Hermitage) on Kumgangsan (Diamond Mountain). It was built in the early Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) and is listed as National Treasure No. 100.
The three-tier pagoda is 3.9 m high and stands on a square base, which consists of a single stone slab measuring 1.8 m and with a height of 40 cm. In the center of the base there is a Buddha statue wearing a headscarf. Since the hands form the bodhyangi (wisdom) mudra, the statue can be identified as Vairocana Buddha. The Sumeru throne under the statue has counter reliefs often present in early Goryeo dynasty art work. Surrounding the statue are four outward-facing stone lions, which support the rest of the structure. The first tier of the pagoda is higher than the other tiers. None of the tiers has any decoration apart from corner pilasters. There is corbeling under the eaves and the corners of the eaves are upturned. Originally, there was a stone lantern supported by a kneeling figure located 60 cm in front of the pagoda, but it no longer exists.