Korean pagoda

Koreans created a unique and distinct pagoda tradition using stone.^[1][2][3] Pagodas were created in India using earth, then in China using wood, which spread to the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and then Japan; however, the pagoda tradition of East Asia diverged, with China creating pagodas using bricks, Korea creating pagodas using stone, and Japan continuing to use wood.^{[4][5][6][7][8]} Korean stone pagodas were first created in Baekje during the early 7th century and then inherited by Later Silla; 90% of the pagodas in Later Silla were made of stone.^[4] The stone pagoda tradition was propagated by the great abundance of high quality granite in Korea,^[9] which also led to other granite creations such as the Seokguram. Goryeo, a devoutly Buddhist state, also inherited the stone pagoda tradition.^[10]

Examples of Korean stone pagodas are: Mireuksa of Baekje; Dabotap and the Seven-storied stone pagoda in Tap-pyeong-ri of Later Silla; Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda of Goryeo; and Wongaksa Pagoda of Joseon.

Examples of Korean wood pagodas are: Hwangnyongsa and Palsangjeon of Silla.

References