金山寺 五層石塔 舍利莊嚴具 硏究

Abstract

In dismantling and repairing Geumsansa Temple’s Five-story Stone Pagoda, discovered from within the pagoda were sarira receptacles and Moaksan geumsansa ocheungseoktap jungchanggi (Construction Records on Moaksan Geumsansa Temple’s Five-story Stone Pagoda). The records give a detailed description of Geumsansa Temple’s Five-story Stone Pagoda construction time, reconstruction situation, and related personnel, making them an important material in learning about the history of Geumsansa Temple in the first half period of the Joseon. Likewise, items contained in the Five-story Stone Pagoda Sarira Reliquaries -- such as a copper sarira bowl and two small bowls, a Five-story Bronze Pagoda and seven coins, eight Buddha images, and one cherub figure -- are very important materials in understanding the composition and characteristics of early-time Joseon Sarira Reliquaries in the history of arts. The reconstruction records describe the process of demolishing the pagoda, the discovery of Sarira Reliquaries, and the process of enshrining Sarira Reliquaries in the pagoda. It was also revealed that, with the support of the royal household with Prince Deogwongun as the biggest sponsor, a large number of the region’s local officials and monks participated in Buddhist affairs. The local governor, too, encouraged the Hyangdo community to allow many worshippers to participate in Buddhist affairs. The Sarira Reliquaries enshrined inside the pagoda were provided during the construction and reconstruction of the pagoda and are characterized according to the times. In particular, Buddhas enshrined inside the pagoda were created in 1492 when the pagoda was constructed and were served by monks. They are very important in understanding the Buddhist sculpture styles around the 16th century. It is very interesting to enshrine Buddhas inside the pagoda and to install Sarira Reliquaries containing statues inside which sariras are put, without using other apparatuses. Buddhas were enshrined in the Geumsansa Temple Pagoda presumably because, with devotion to the Buddha image being heightened, individuals’ faith of seeking blessings was popular. In other words, as Buddha images were enshrined in worship halls, they were also enshrined in pagodas, a new faith trend at the time.