Stories of Korea’s National Treasures 34
Photo Credit: Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
East Three-story Stone Pagoda of Sulljeong-ri, Changnyeong
(Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
🏯 1. A Tower Standing in Quiet Grace
In the tranquil fields of Sulljeong-ri, Changnyeong, rises a simple yet elegant structure — the East Three-story Stone Pagoda, a masterpiece of early Unified Silla stone architecture.
Believed to have been built in the 8th century, this pagoda once stood alongside a twin on its western side, forming a pair that symbolized balance and harmony, two virtues deeply cherished in Buddhist cosmology.
Though time has taken much from the original temple complex, the surviving east pagoda remains steadfast — a silent witness to centuries of faith and artistry.
🪨 2. Architectural Beauty and Design
The pagoda stands on a two-tiered base, with three stories rising in graceful proportion. Each level diminishes upward in perfect symmetry, embodying the principle of stability through simplicity.
The structure is made of finely cut granite blocks, precisely fitted together without excessive ornamentation. The roof stones are elegantly curved, their edges slightly upturned — a detail that adds a subtle sense of lift and serenity.
At its foundation, the carved lotus motifs and clean geometric lines reflect the Silla artisans’ mastery of restraint and harmony, where beauty is found not in extravagance but in balance.
🌄 3. The Meaning of the Pagoda
In Buddhist tradition, pagodas are sacred reliquaries — monuments that enshrine relics and embody the spiritual axis connecting heaven and earth.
The Sulljeong-ri pagoda, standing alone today, continues to radiate that quiet sanctity.
Its three tiers represent the Three Jewels of Buddhism — the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings), and the Sangha (community).
Its upward flow reminds visitors that enlightenment is a gradual ascent, achieved through patience and clarity.
Even in solitude, the pagoda speaks softly of peace — a testament that true strength endures in stillness.
🌿 4. Preservation and Legacy
The East Three-story Stone Pagoda of Sulljeong-ri remains remarkably well-preserved, retaining the refined structure and proportion typical of early Silla stonework.
Designated National Treasure No. 34, it stands as an invaluable record of Korea’s architectural evolution and spiritual devotion.
Though the temple it once belonged to has vanished, the pagoda itself continues to embody the timeless Silla ideal — harmony between the earthly and the divine.
When sunlight touches its weathered granite, the tower seems to breathe —
a quiet reminder that faith, when built on wisdom, outlasts even the stones themselves.
💬 5. A Warm Reflection
“In its silence, the stone pagoda prays.
Each tier rises not to challenge the sky,
but to lift the heart —
toward peace that needs no words.”
📌 Notice
The National Treasure number indicates the order of designation, not a ranking of value.
For more information, please visit the 👉National Heritage Portal