Lion Pagoda of Hwaeomsa

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Provenance

The exact provenance of the pagoda is unknown as no contemporary records of its origins survive. [1] According to later accounts from A Chronicle of the Great Temple Hwaeomsa of Jirisan, Gurye County, Honam (1636) [note 1] and The Record of Bongseong (c.1800), [note 2] the great monk Jajang (590–658) constructed a pagoda at Hwaeomsa sometime in the early 7th century, but it is uncertain which pagoda this may refer to. [6] Furthermore, contemporary sources agree that given its sculptural style, the four lion pagoda was most likely erected in the 9th century, during the Unified Silla period. [3] [5] [6] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] This coincides with the stonework of Wontongjeon Hall, whose platform, stairs and threshold go back to the same period; either the remains of an earlier hall, [3] or a system of corridors, although the wooden structure itself was rebuilt in 1703. [17]

Significance

The four lion pagoda was designated Treasure 300 in 1963 by the Cultural Heritage Administration, [3] an example of the Korean non-typical style of stone pagoda. [6] Lions have a high symbolic value in Buddhism and the word is commonly used as a metaphor for the Buddha. [11] The sculptures in this pagoda appear to have been inspired by those of Hwaeomsa's three story pagoda. [6] Although displaying similar facial expressions, the lions of the later pagoda are inferior in both size and craftsmanship, failing to capture the same vitality and sophistication of detail. [6] [11]

While it appears to possess the correct structural components typical of Silla stone pagodas, [6] the overall style of the four lion pagoda does not conform with its contemporaries from the period. There are neither roof stones nor a finial. It is also difficult to say for certain how many stories there are, [2] and the fact that there appears to be only one is problematic. [11] And as the pagoda is also elusively known as the "Hwaeomsa Pillar", [note 3] [11] [18] it unclear whether it is indeed a pagoda—where relics may have been enshrined—or a structure with some other religious purpose. [2]

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References

Notes
  1. ↑ Honamdoguryegunjirisanhwaeomsasajeok (湖南道求禮郡智異山華嚴寺記實)
  2. ↑ Bongseongji (鳳城誌)
  3. ↑ Hwaeomsanoju (露柱華嚴寺)
Footnotes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Cheon et al. 2005, p.185
  2. 1 2 3 Cheon et al. 2005, p.184
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Survey Report on Gakhwangjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa 2009, pp.182–183
  4. 1 2 Cheon et al. 2005, p.187
  5. 1 2 Survey Report of Hwaeomsa, Gurye 1986, p.174
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Cheon et al. 2005, p.186
  7. 1 2 Cheon et al. 2005, p.188
  8. ↑ Cheon et al. 2005, p.189
  9. ↑ Survey Report of Hwaeomsa, Gurye 1986, p.177
  10. ↑ Survey Report of Hwaeomsa, Gurye 1986, p.178
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Hwang et al. 1976, pp.97–98
  12. ↑ Cultural Relics of Gurye-gun 1994, p.129
  13. ↑ Jeon, Kim and So 2000, pp.108–110
  14. ↑ Jeong 2002, p.42
  15. ↑ Sin 2009, p.190
  16. ↑ Bak et al. 2010, p.118
  17. ↑ Jeon, Kim and So 2000, pp.83–84
  18. ↑ An et al. 1996, p.183
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Lion Pagoda of Hwaeomsa
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