Seokga Pagoda, A pagoda of balance

The stone pagoda next to Dabo Pagoda is Seokga Pagoda which represents Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. This pagoda which is called the complete example of Silla stone pagodas boasts its refined appearance created based on its balanced and symmetrical structure.

This pagoda consists of three parts, which are designated based on a thorough mathematical calculation to accentuate the sense of stability and balance.

Shall we look at the bottom part? Eight lotus flower-shaped stones are placed around the pagoda.

In Buddhism, the number 8 represents the whole universe. And these eight stones are the seats for all Buddhas in the universe which symbolizes that Shakyamuni and other Buddhas are always here with the pagoda.

As such, this pagoda does not shows the aesthetic sense of Silla people but also faithfully represents symbols of Buddhism.

Buddhist pagodas often contain precious Buddhist artifacts or "sarira," the remains of Shakyamuni Buddha or a monk after cremation. This pagoda also had a precious artifact which surprised the whole world.

The artifact is the wooden-printed material of Buddhist scriptures, which is the oldest wooden-printed material in the world.

You can learn more about it from File ‘Dharani Sutra; The treasure of the world’ of this audio guide.

Along with the invaluable artifact, this pagoda also has a sad story. You can hear the story in the File ‘Seokga Pagoda; A stone pagoda without a shadow’.

Now, shall we move to the main building where the Shakyamuni Buddha statue is located?


Dharani Sutra, The treasure of the world

With its great artistic and historical value, Seokga Pagoda was not safe from robbery.

Buddhist pagodas often have precious artifacts inside and robbers once attempted to steal the artifacts in this pagoda, damaging it in the process.

Afterwards, maintenance work was carried out to repair the damage, and this led to the discovery of the invaluable artifacts inside.

In the rectangular space in the middle of the pagoda, a sarira box and a little Buddhist scripture were found wrapped with silk.

Inside the silk wrapping was the world's oldest existing wood-printed material.

This little scripture that carries the summary of Buddha's teachings has a tremendous historical value and has been designated as a national treasure.

Before this scripture was found, the one discovered in Japan was considered the world's oldest wood-printed material.

But as it turned out, this scripture was about 20 years older than the Japanese one.

Already having the world's oldest movable metal print book, Korea has become the country that has two world's oldest printed materials.

And this scripture was printed onto the traditional Korean paper.

This paper is very long-lasting and is also relatively immune from discoloration and oxidization compared with silk or the paper we use today.

So you can say that this scripture was kept in good condition for more than 1,000 years thanks to the paper.

Although the original scripture is not on display to the public due to concerns over damage, the replica is exhibited in the National Museum of Korea. So if you're interested, make sure you don't miss it.


Seokga Pagoda, A stone pagoda without a shadow

[Narration]
Legend tells that Seokga Pagoda has no shadow. The story has its origin in a sad love story from the Silla period. Shall we hear the story?

Asadal, a master craftsman of Silla, embarked on a long journey to design and create pagodas for Bulguksa Temple―leaving his beloved wife, Asanyo, at home.

Completely absorbed in the pagoda project, Asadal didn't want to be distracted by any thoughts.

He did not even think of his beautiful wife back home. After hearing no word from her husband for two years, she missed her husband so much that she couldn't wait any longer. So she travelled all the way to Bulguksa Temple.

But she was not allowed to see her husband.

[Asanyo]
Please let me see my husband, or at least tell me if he is alive.

[Gatekeeper]
I'm sorry, but I am under strict orders not to allow any woman into the temple until the pagoda is completed. Please go back.

[Narration]
But she could not see him. She waited day after day at the temple gate for her husband to come out. But no word came.

One day a Buddhist monk who took pity on her tried to comfort her.

[Monk]
There is a small pond not far from here. If you pray with all your heart, maybe you will see the reflection of the pagoda in the water soon after it's completed.

Then, you will be able to see your husband.

[Narration]
After that, she stood beside the pond every day, gazing forlornly at it.

But days passed with no sign of the pagoda. And she even heard a rumor that Asadal would soon get married to another woman.

She beseeched the heaven.

[Asanyo]
I see no reflection in the water. Am I not sincere enough in my wish to see my husband?

What should I do to see him again?

[Narration]
With no energy left to go back home, Asanyo flung herself in the pond and cried her husband's name one last time.

When Asadal completed the Seokga Pagoda, he heard that his wife had come and ran to the pond.

But he only found her shoes at the edge of the pond.

[Asadal]
Asanyo～

[Narration]
He tore at his chest, crying. Soon after, he followed his wife and threw himself into the water, too.