Sofukuji Temple Site

Temple built for the former sheng king of Hangling

Located on National Route 7 heading from downtown Gyeongju to Ulsan, it is said to be the tomb of the 38th Silla king, Wonseong (785-798).GaryunHowever, there is a temple that is closely related to the tomb, located about 3 kilometers up the mountain path from the Kakeryo.

At the site of Sungboksa Temple in Malbang-ri, located at the southern foot of Mt. Toham, a two-storey three-storey stone pagoda stands alone on spacious grounds that have been neatly maintained to tell the story of the rise and fall of Silla. In 1931, the temple site was made known to the public by a Japanese man named Sugiyama, and at the time it was called Malbang-ri Temple Site. In 1939, over ten pieces of stone monuments were discovered at the temple site, and it was confirmed to be the "Great Sungboksa Monument" carved by Silla scholar Choi Chiwon, making it clear that this is the Sungboksa Temple mentioned in the "Samguk Yusa." In the section on Wonseong the Great in the Samguk Yusa it reads: "The king's tomb is at Hosa Temple in Seodong, Mt. Toham. There is a stone monument inscribed by Choi Chiwon."

Sofukuji Temple Site

According to the "Daisofukuji Monument," Sōfukuji Temple was built at its current location as a memorial to the mausoleum of King Wonseong, and was given the title of Daisōfukuji. The temple was founded by Kim Wonryō, the maternal grandfather of King Wonseong's queen, and was named after the rocks on the temple grounds that resembled a swan. As a result, the Garyū tomb, a royal tomb of the closest magnitude to the Sōfukuji Temple site, was designated as the mausoleum of King Wonseong.

Sofukuji Temple Site

The two triple-story stone pagodas at the site of Sofukuji Temple have eight carvings on each side of the base, depicting the eight divine generals who are said to protect Buddhism and educate the masses.

The turtle stone monument that once held the "Daisofukuji Monument"

Also, the "Daesongboksa Monument" by Choi Chiwon, which was located here, is nowGyeongju National MuseumThe monument, with two turtles touching each other, on which the monument stood is preserved, and is located to the right of the main gate of Gyeongju Museum, welcoming visitors to Gyeongju.

If you are visiting Gyeongju Museum, it might be a good idea to think about the origin of the two turtles placed to the right of the main gate.