Reading and Interpretation of Goesan Oesa-ri Stele Piece

Goesan Oesa-ri Stele Piece, discovered in 1978, contains the life and activities of a Zen priest who lived during the late Silla and early Goryeo Dynasty. Although this monk was active in China for a long time, he was in contact with his homeland. After the Goryeo Dynasty was established, he returned back after receiving a request to “help the New Country”.In the stele piece, there is written a back and forth of question-and-answer exchanges between Zen priests and their followers. Although it is a limited text that can be interpreted as a fragment, it is important in understanding the social atmosphere and Buddhist ideology of the time. Continued attention from researchers is needed.After this monk died while working near Gaegyeong(開京), he was moved to the temple where he originally worked and held a funeral. Goesan Oesa-ri Monk Stupa, built at this time, was being bought and sold here and there, before Gansong(澗松) Jeon Hyeong-Pil(全鎣弼) bought it in 1935 to prevent it from being taken out overseas. So it is now being preserved at the Gansong Art Museum in Seoul.