Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 174

Silla Gold Crown
The Silla Kingdom (57 BCE – 935 CE) was rich in gold, and by far the most spectacular objects
found in Silla tombs are the royal crowns that were constructed from pure gold. As a result of the
stability of the government, the people of Silla were able to develop a refined culture, as
evidenced by skillfully crafted artifacts that have been excavated from ancient tombs around the
ancient capital, Gyeongju. The exquisite crowns reflect Daoist respect for nature and shamanistic
beliefs.
Bulguksa is the most magnificent
example of Silla architecture and the most renowned Buddhist temple in Korea. It is located in
the mountains near Gyeongju, the ancient Korean capital. It was originally built in 528 CE. The
harmonious beauty of the temple reveals the highly developed architectural taste and skills of the
ancient Silla people. In 1966, a Buddhist text inside one of the pagodas was discovered and is
regarded as the oldest Buddhist text printed with wooden blocks in the world.
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