|
The Four Lion Stone Pagoda is a South Korean pagoda at the Buddhist temple of Hwaeomsa, in Gurye County, Jeollanam-do. It was most likely erected in the 9th century, during the Unified Silla period, although its exact origins and purpose are unknown. Built in the non-typical style, the pagoda has a two story platform and a single body adorned with relief imagery of the Four Heavenly Kings. It is most notable for the four lion sculptures which make up the upper tier of the platform. It is registered by the Cultural Heritage Administration as Treasure 300 and is commonly known as the "Hwaeomsa Pillar". ==Description== The four lion pagoda is one of the four stone pagodas of Hwaeomsa,〔Cheon ''et al.'' 2005, p.185〕 positioned south of Wontongjeon Hall and centrally aligned with the face of the building along a north-south axis.〔Cheon ''et al.'' 2005, p.184〕 It is composed of a two-tiered platform and a single-story body,〔 made from granite with a total height of .〔''Survey Report on Gakhwangjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa'' 2009, pp.182–183〕 The first tier of the platform is shaped like a square block, each side made from a single length of stone into which have been carved the base, walls and eaves.〔 It measures about across on each side and in height. There is a double-plinth along the bottom edges.〔Cheon ''et al.'' 2005, p.187〕 A square slabstone covers the top, creating the appearance of a Buddhist altar. There is no religious imagery and the gaps between the stones are clearly visible.〔 Instead of walls or columns,〔''Survey Report of Hwaeomsa, Gurye'' 1986, p.174〕 a statue of a lion is perched on an eight-petaled lotus pedestal at each corner of the platform's second tier.〔Cheon ''et al.'' 2005, p.186〕 Each lion is about high,〔Cheon ''et al.'' 2005, p.188〕 standing erect with its front feet spread open.〔 The lions each face a different direction and have different facial expressions.〔 Each lion head supports a capital decorated with upturned lotus leaves on its head. These shoulder a square capstone—on which the pagoda body sits—carved with sixteen lotus leaves along its top edges.〔 The pillar-shaped body stone is comparatively tall,〔 measuring about in height.〔Cheon ''et al.'' 2005, p.189〕 Instead of a conventional roof stone, a square slabstone has been laid over top. It is decorated with an upturned hemisphere on top and carved with lotus leaves along its bottom edges.〔 A Buddhist guardian deity surrounded by a thick rectangular border is engraved in low relief on each side of the body stone.〔 These figures likely represent the Four Heavenly Kings:〔''Survey Report of Hwaeomsa, Gurye'' 1986, p.177〕 Dhṛtarāṣṭra to the east, Virūpākṣa the west, Virūḍhaka the south, and Vaiśravaṇa the north.〔 Dhṛtarāṣṭra stands atop a misshapen stone platform, leaning slightly to the right. He is wearing a crown and the armor of a military general, with a simple nimbus around his head. The left arm is raised to the shoulder while the right hand is making a tight fist, as if to strike a downward blow. Armor-clad Virūḍhaka is depicted in the ''tribhanga'' stance, leaning to the left, the handle of his sword held in his right hand and the point in his left. Virūpākṣa is identical in appearance, although he leans to the right and his sword is held the opposite way. The figure of Vaiśravaṇa has been sculpted with comparatively greater detail than the other three. Leaning to the left, his right hand rests on the waist while a pagoda is held in his left.〔''Survey Report of Hwaeomsa, Gurye'' 1986, p.178〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Lion Pagoda of Hwaeomsa」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|