Geumsansa Temple: Hexagonal Multi-story Stone Pagoda

[Narration]
Treasure No. 27, the Hexagonal Multi-story Stone Pagoda, is located to the right of Daejeokgwangjeon’s front courtyard.
This pagoda is distinct in that it is made from black slate materials, and although incomplete, it remains an exquisite work of artistic craftsmanship.

It’s said that the pagoda was originally located in the Bongcheonwon Hermitage in front of Daewoong’s Daegwangmyeonjeon Hall.
The king’s teacher Hye-deok was head monk and founded the Bongcheonwon Hermitage in 1079: it is estimated that he also created the pagoda around that time.

The Bongcheonwon Hermitage was completely destroyed in the Joseon Dynasty in the 2nd War of Jeongyu, and the pagoda was moved to its current location whilst Geumsansa Temple was being rebuilt by the Buddhist Master Su-moon.
The Hexagonal Multi-story Stone Pagoda transcends the ordinary stone pagodas of the Silla Dynasty with its fine Goryeo Dynasty style of craftsmanship, and can be referred to as an early artifact of the latter dynasty.

Even though it is incomplete, each level of the pagoda feels proportional, and the early delicate sculpting techniques used on the upper stones were carried on into the Goryeo Dynasty.

Next, let’s move over to Seogyeondae.