Haeju Sutra Pillar
Haeju Sutra Pillar
NORTH KOREA, South Hwanghae, Haeju
The Sutra Pillar was discovered in Haeju city. It is now located within Haeju Park. The pillar was built in the 6th century and it is one of the five remaining stone pillars in the country. It is listed as National Treasure No. 82.
The pillar is made from granite and is 5.3 m high. The base is divided into five layers, starting with two hexagonal layers, followed by an inverted lotus, a large elliptical stone, and a round platform with lotus carvings. The hexagonal body of the pillar is carved with the title and the content of the Sitatapatra Dharani Sutra in Sanskrit. Above the pillar body there are three eaves formed with corbeling. Originally there were floral carvings at the corners of the eaves, but most of them are damaged. In between the upper and middle eaves there is an elliptical stone. Even though the pillar has been seriously affected by the weather, it retains its elegance and simplicity.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Architecture G-L, page 424.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Lancaster, Lewis,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Architecture G-L},
pages = 424,
title = {{Haeju Sutra Pillar}},
volume = 2,
year = {2016}}