Seven-story Stone Pagoda in Tappyeong-ri, Chungju

Last updated February 21, 2019

Seven-story Stone Pagoda in Tappyeong-ri, Chungju (hangul: 충주 탑평리 칠층석탑), also called the Jungang Pagoda (Central Pagoda), is a 14.5 meter tall stone pagoda near the Namhan River in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.^[1] It is the tallest stone pagoda of the Later Silla period.^[1]

The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, has been used to write the Korean language since its creation in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great. It may also be written Hangeul following the standard Romanization.

Pagoda Tiered tower in an East Asian style

A pagoda is a tiered tower with multiple eaves, built in traditions originating as stupa in historic South Asia and further developed in East Asia with respect to those traditions, common to Nepal, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist, and were often located in or near viharas. In some countries, the term may refer to other religious structures. In Vietnam and Cambodia, due to French translation, the English term pagoda is a more generic term referring to a place of worship, although pagoda is not an accurate word to describe a Buddhist vihara. The modern pagoda is an evolution of the stupa which originated in ancient India. Stupas are a tomb-like structure where sacred relics could be kept safe and venerated. The architectural structure of the stupa has spread across Asia, taking on many diverse forms as details specific to different regions are incorporated into the overall design. Many Philippine bell towers are highly influenced by pagodas through Chinese workers hired by the Spaniards.

The Han River or Hangang is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok (Yalu), Tuman (Tumen), and Nakdong rivers. The river begins as two smaller rivers in the eastern mountains of the Korean peninsula, which then converge near Seoul, the capital of the country.

History

The stone pagoda is estimated to have been built during the reign of King Wonseong in the 8th century, and it has a style which was typical of the Later Silla period.^[2] It is presumed that the pagoda was once part of a temple site; various artifacts were discovered beneath the pagoda in 1917, including religious items and a mirror from the Goryeo period.^[1]

Korean pagodas are a traditional Korean architectural form that began in the Three Kingdoms of Korea period. Koreans created a unique and distinct pagoda tradition using stone.

Wonseong of Silla was the 38th to rule the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was a twelfth-generation descendant of King Naemul. His father was Kim Hyo-yang, and his mother was Lady Gye-o, the daughter of Pak Chang-do. Wonseong's queen was Lady Yeonhwa, the daughter of Gakgan Kim Sin-sul.

Later Silla or Unified Silla is the name often applied to the Korean kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, after it conquered Baekje and Goguryeo in the 7th century, unifying the central and southern regions of the Korean peninsula. Later Silla was a prosperous and wealthy country, and its metropolitan capital of Seorabeol was the fourth-largest city in the world at the time. During its heyday, the country contested with Balhae, a Goguryeo–Mohe kingdom, to the north for supremacy in the region. Throughout its existence, Later Silla was plagued by intrigue and political turmoil, mainly by the rebel groups in conquered Baekje and Goguryeo territories, leading to the Later Three Kingdoms period in the late 9th century.

According to a legend, the pagoda was at the center of the country. Thus, if two people from the northern and southern ends of the country walked at the same pace toward each other, they would end up meeting at the pagoda.^[2]

Citations

1 2 3 "Seven-story Stone Pagoda in Tappyeong-ri, Chungju". Cultural Heritage Administration. Korea Tourism Organization. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
1 2 "Chungju Tappyeongni Chilcheungseoktap". Korea JoongAng Daily. JoongAng Ilbo. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

Coordinates: 37°00′57″N127°52′00″E / 37.01583°N 127.86667°E / 37.01583; 127.86667

Geographic coordinate system Coordinate system

A geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system that enables every location on Earth to be specified by a set of numbers, letters or symbols. The coordinates are often chosen such that one of the numbers represents a vertical position and two or three of the numbers represent a horizontal position; alternatively, a geographic position may be expressed in a combined three-dimensional Cartesian vector. A common choice of coordinates is latitude, longitude and elevation. To specify a location on a plane requires a map projection.

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[KTO-1] 1 2 3 "Seven-story Stone Pagoda in Tappyeong-ri, Chungju". Cultural Heritage Administration. Korea Tourism Organization. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

[Joongang-2] 1 2 "Chungju Tappyeongni Chilcheungseoktap". Korea JoongAng Daily. JoongAng Ilbo. Retrieved 15 October 2016.