Kumgangsan Jangyeonsa Temple Three-Tier Pagoda

NORTH KOREA, Kangwon, Kumgang

The three-tier stone pagoda is located within Jangyeongsa Temple on Kumgangsan (Diamond Mountain). The pagoda is dated to the 9th century during the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935). It is listed as National Treasure No. 101.
The pagoda is 4.3 m high and built upon a base platform and a base. The base platform, made from a number of stone slabs, is built with central and corner pilasters on each side. The base, which is taller and narrower than the base platform, also has central and corner pilasters. There are simple carvings of the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors holding weapons between the pilasters of the base. The Dharma protectors on the north and south sides have dynamic postures, while those on the east and west sides appear more tranquil. Each tier of the pagoda body and each eave is made of a single stone block. On every tier there are corner pilasters and a shallow rectangular carving, showing traces of the gilt bronze plates that once adhered there. There is corbeling under the eaves and the corners of the eaves are upturned. The spire is no longer extant.