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How were the stone staircases and platforms at Bulguk Temple used in the temple complex?
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Korean architecture
Five-story stone pagoda of Jeongrimsa Temple, first half of the 7th century, Baekje period; in Buyeo, South Korea. Height 8.33 meters (27.3 feet).
At the Pulguk Temple, which dates back to the Unified Silla period, stone staircases and platforms serve as essential structural and symbolic elements of the complex.1
- Stone Staircases: The approach to the temple from the south is facilitated by a pair of stone staircases, which provide a formal and elevated entry point to the temple grounds.1
- Platforms: The templeās stonework, including its platforms, provides the foundational support for the wooden structures. These platforms elevate the buildings and pagodas, creating a distinct, tiered layout that defines the temple's spatial organization. For example, the Prabhutaratna pagoda (Tabotāap) stands on an elevated platform that is accessed by four staircases, emphasizing the pagoda's significance within the courtyard.1
These architectural features, which have survived since the Unified Silla period, are integral to the temple's preservation and its original design, which divides the site into adjoining complexes and courtyards.1