Dongjong, Bronze Bell of Sangwonsa Temple

King Sejo was no different as a human before he was crowned King, and he was able to overcome the stigma of sinners and gain comfort here at Sangwonsa Temple. To express his appreciation, he offered the most beautiful bell he could find in the country to Sangwonsa Temple. This bell later became a National Treasure.

The bronze bell, cast in the 24th year of the Silla Queen Seongdeok’s reign, shows the sophisticated casting methods during the Unified Silla period. On top, a mighty dragon ascends into the sky, as if he was trying to take the bell with him. It is said to be one of the secrets of the Bell in Sangwonsa Temple that the sound of this bell is so beautiful that modern technology has not solved yet. The carving of a heavenly being on the bell demonstrates the height of the carving skills at that time. He is on his knees on the clouds playing a musical instrument. It is so refined that the sound of music may be heard from it at any moment.

The bell was originally located in Andong, but when the bell was brought in, it refused to budge at a mountain pass, as if it were stuck to the ground. Hence, it is said that when one of the lotus buds was removed from the body of the bell and sent back to its place, the bell finally started to move. That is why one of the thirty-six lotus buds, nine in each of the four lotus ponds, is missing.