[Korea Root] Yangju Hoamsaji 'Bronze Geumtak' Missing the Name 'I Bangwon'

Among Artifacts Excavated from Hoeamsaji, the 'Bronze Geumdak (靑銅 金鐸)' Holds the Highest Academic Value
Geumdak Engraved with the Name 'I Bangseok' Presumed to Have Been Made to Pray for a Smooth 'Royal Succession'

Hoheamsaji Temple Site, Yangju [Yangju-si]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The Hoamsa Temple Site in Yangju is known as one of the best-preserved abandoned temple sites in Korea.

Spanning approximately 10,000 pyeong (about 33,000 square meters), the entire temple site remains almost undamaged, resulting in an unprecedented number of artifacts unearthed compared to other temple sites.

Experts evaluate that the site was forcibly abandoned by Confucian scholars during King Myeongjong's reign, and that the place where monks practiced Buddhism has undergone minimal alteration.

Among the artifacts excavated from the Hoamsa site, the most academically valuable is a bronze Geumtak (金鐸) found at the site of Bogwangjeon Hall.

The Geumtak is a small bell called a Pungtak (風鐸), hung at the edge of the eaves to produce sound when the wind blows.

According to historical records, this Pungtak was called 'Geumtak,' hence the name 'bronze Geumtak,' and its sound was said to be comparable to that of a geomungo (a traditional Korean string instrument).

There are two bronze Geumtaks: one was excavated beneath the stone pavement at the northeast corner of Bogwangjeon Hall, and the other at the northwest corner.

The Geumtak from the northeast corner is relatively well-preserved, while the one from the northwest corner is only partially restorable, with just the lower part of the upper and lower sections intact.

Bronze Geumtak [Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation]

The Geumtak consists mainly of the body, a connecting part to hang it from the building, and an accessory that swings in the wind to produce sound.

The reason the bronze Geumtak is regarded as the most valuable artifact from the Hoamsa site is due to the 146-character inscription engraved on its body.

On the upper part of the two-tiered body, there is an inscription of 15 characters written from right to left and top to bottom in relief, reading: 'Wangsa Myoeom Jonja (王師妙嚴尊者) Joseon Gukwang (朝鮮國王) Wang Hyeonbi (王顯妃) Seja (世子).'

The lower part contains 131 characters engraved in relief, written vertically from right to left in groups of four characters. The translation is as follows:

"The four corners of Bogwangjeon at Hoamsa on Cheonbosan are splendidly decorated with golden walls, surpassing the heavenly palace. Hanging the Geumtak, we wish to offer it to all Buddhas. May the tiny beings like dust hear this sound and realize the Buddha's true mind. We respectfully receive this mysterious and beautiful cause and effect, praying that the name of Joseon be passed down for ten thousand years. May war (Wu Ge 于戈) cease forever, bringing peace to the country and its people, and finally returning to the realization of shared karma." - Hongwu 27th year [1394], Gap Sul, June -

In this inscription, 'Wangsa Myoeom Jonja (王師妙嚴尊者)' refers to Muhak Daesa, 'Joseon Gukwang (朝鮮國王)' to Yi Seong-gye, 'Wang Hyeonbi (王顯妃)' to Queen Shindeok Kang, Yi Seong-gye's consort, and 'Seja (世子)' to Yi Bang-seok.

Given that the merit maker was Pan Naesibu-sa Yi Deok-bun, it can be inferred that the Geumtak was created to pray for the longevity of these four individuals.

Bronze Geumtak Inscription Details [Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation]

The inscription mentioning 'Merit Maker Gajeong Daebu Pan Naesibu-sa Yi Deok-bun (功德主 嘉靖大夫判內侍府事 李得芬)' is also noteworthy.

功德主 嘉靖大夫判內侍府事 李得芬 施主 貞信宅主許妙淨 咸陽郡夫人朴妙湛 寧順宅主 朴氏 ?(?)城翁主尹氏 檢校門下侍中 李崇

(Merit Maker Gajeong Daebu Pan Naesibu-sa Yi Deok-bun, Patron Jeongshin Taekju Heo Myeo-jeong, Hamyang Gunbuin Park Myeo-tam, Yeongsun Taekju Park, Hyeop(?) Seong Ongju Yoon, Inspector Munha Sijung Yi Sung)

This indicates that the Geumtak was produced under the leadership of Yi Deok-bun, who was known as an old power favored by King U.

The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty record that "On the 8th day of the 5th month of King Taejo's reign, when Queen Hyeonbi's illness became critical, she was moved to Yi Deok-bun's house, and King Taejo visited Yi Deok-bun's house," "On the 13th day of the 8th month of King Taejo's 5th year, Queen Hyeonbi died at Yi Deok-bun's house, and the king mourned deeply," and "In the 1st year of King Jeongjong, Yi Deok-bun was punished for squandering the treasury by conducting Buddhist ceremonies."

It is presumed that Yi Deok-bun had a special relationship with Queen Shindeok and was a key figure in the Buddhist community, thus responsible for the 'Geumtak Buddhist ceremony.'

Additionally, the inscription reveals two main points: first, that Hoamsa was extensively constructed alongside King Taejo's ascension. The completion of the central building, Bogwangjeon, in 1394 suggests that the Buddhist construction at Hoamsa began immediately after the founding of Joseon.

Second, Yi Deok-bun was ultimately classified as part of the old power faction rather than the main force behind Joseon's founding, maintaining close ties with Buddhism and enjoying the patronage of Queen Shindeok Kang.

His existence also suggests that Yi Seong-gye included not only the new literati but also the old Buddhist power factions in the founding of Joseon, rather than eliminating them.

Hoamsaji Saritap [Yangju-si]

The bronze Geumtak, with a diameter of 30 cm, is large compared to typical Pungtaks, implying the scale of Bogwangjeon and reflecting the prestige of Hoamsa as a royal temple.

It is also interesting that the title of Muhak Daesa precedes that of King Yi Seong-gye, indicating the special relationship between Muhak Daesa and Yi Seong-gye and suggesting Muhak Daesa's status at the time.

Yi Seong-gye and Queen Kang quickly appointed Yi Bang-seok as crown prince immediately after founding Joseon, which caused strong opposition from Yi Bang-won and some founding factions.

The fact that Yi Bang-seok's name is inscribed on the Geumtak leads to speculation that it was created to pray for his smooth succession to the throne.

Thus, the 'bronze Geumtak' reveals previously unknown facts, stimulates historical imagination, and is regarded as the most academically significant artifact excavated from the Hoamsa site.

Sokdongmunseon (Records Related to the Construction of Prince Hyoryeong's Saritap) [Yangju City]

Meanwhile, the Yangju City Hoamsa Site Museum is holding the 'Luminarie of the Great Temple' event until the 31st to provide visitors to the Hoamsa site with a spectacular visual experience during the year-end and New Year season.

They have installed luminaries creating a splendid and fantastic atmosphere around the museum plaza, allowing visitors to enjoy diverse cultural experiences alongside the landscape lighting of the Hoamsa site ruins.

At the museum plaza, an 8-meter-tall large tree, illuminated benches, and various shaped sculptures have been installed to create a romantic winter atmosphere, solidifying its position as a local tourist attraction.

A special exhibition commemorating the elevation of the 'Yangju Hoamsa Site Saritap'?a treasure (No. 2130) and the pinnacle of early Joseon stone sculpture art?is being held at the Yangju City Hoamsa Site Museum's special exhibition hall until February 20 next year.

The 'Yangju Hoamsa Site Saritap' is a relic sarira pagoda built in 1464 by Prince Hyoryeong at Hoamsa during the Yeonggak Dharma Assembly. After the abandonment of Hoamsa, the pagoda was damaged and partially collapsed but was restored shortly after liberation by Hoamsa monks and local residents.

Hoamsaji Stupa Pagoda [Yangju-si]

Since being designated as Gyeonggi Province Tangible Cultural Property No. 52 in 1974 under the name 'Hoamsa Site Budotap,' it has undergone excavation, dismantling, restoration investigations in 1999, and preservation treatment in 2012, presenting its current appearance.

The sarira pagoda is not only large in scale but also well-preserved, and it is a precious monk's pagoda that reveals royal Buddhist art elements through its pagoda style, Buddhist iconography, and decorative patterns.

Among relic sarira pagodas, its value is very high, and it was elevated to a nationally designated treasure last June.

The museum stated, "The Hoamsa Site Saritap is recognized for its academic and cultural heritage value as a representative early Joseon monk's pagoda-style Buddhist pagoda and has been designated as a treasure. Visitors will be able to appreciate the value of this sarira pagoda, which has established itself as the essence and representative work of Joseon-era stone sculpture art."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.