Miniature Pagodas

KOREA; Unified Silla dynasty

This group of miniature pagodas are believed to have been unearthed from the three-tier stone pagoda of Biroam Hermitage at Donghwasa Temple. There are 33 pagodas with different heights and architectural styles. The bases are square and the pagodas have either three or five stories. The spires are either in the shape of a lotus bud or are elliptical or have stacked rings, but many of them are missing. The pagodas have small holes in the base, in which Buddhist texts were inserted.
The creation of such miniature pagodas as an act of devotion became popular during the later part of the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935). According to an inscription, 99 such pagodas were placed in the three-tier stone pagoda.