Stone Lotus Basin

[Traveler]
This stone basin was made about 1,200 years ago. Why do you think the old Korean Buddhists made this strange stone work? For use as a kitchen pot like the huge iron cauldron we saw earlier? I am afraid not. This stone basin is called a seongnyeonji, and it means "a stone pond in the shape of a lotus flower". Usually, lotuses are grown in a pond, but the maker of this stone work seems to have wanted to contain a pond in a lotus flower. Quite amazing, isn't it?

The outer part of the basin is heavily embellished with carved lotus petals. In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes pure nobility because it blooms beautifully clean flowers even in dirty muddy water. The little pillar supporting the lower part of the flower features clouds which represent the lotus in heaven. Hence, this lotus pond is not of earth but of heaven. What is amazing is the artistic courage and creativity of the stone carver, who clearly wanted to turn the heavy stone into a light cloud.

The basin was used as a pond for floating lotus blossoms, but today it remains dried due to a crack. Just imagine the fully open lotus flowers floating in a small manmade pool in the shape of a lotus blossom.