Gyeongdeok of Silla

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Gyeongdeok of Silla
Hangul:	경덕왕
Hanja:	景德王
Revised Romanization:	Gyeongdeok Wang
McCune-Reischauer:	Kyŏngdŏk Wang
Birth name
Hangul:	김헌영
Hanja:	金憲英
Revised Romanization:	Gim Heon-yeong
McCune-Reischauer:	Kim Hŏnyŏng

Monarchs of Korea
Silla (Post-Unification) 30. Munmu 661-681 31. Sinmun 681-691 32. Hyoso 692-702 33. Seongdeok 702-737 34. Hyoseong 737-742 35. Gyeongdeok 742-765 36. Hyegong 765-780 37. Seondeok 780-785 38. Wonseong 785-798 39. Soseong 798-800 40. Aejang 800-809 41. Heondeok 809-826 42. Heungdeok 826-836 43. Huigang 836-838 44. Minae 838-839 45. Sinmu 839 46. Munseong 839-857 47. Heonan 857-861 48. Gyeongmun 861-875 49. Heongang 875-886 50. Jeonggang 886-887 51. Jinseong 887-897 52. Hyogong 897-912 53. Sindeok 913-917 54. Gyeongmyeong 917-924 55. Gyeongae 924-927 56. Gyeongsun 927-935

King Gyeongdeok of Silla was the 35th ruler who reigned from 742 to 765 over the kingdom of Silla. He is perhaps best known today for his efforts to encourage Buddhism.

The Bulguksa Temple was built by his orders in 751. He also built Seokguram Grotto, which also included Buddhist art. The grotto has features relevant to the pre-existing shamanistic religion as well. Lastly, he commissioned the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, named for his father. This bell was finished after his own death during the reign of his son, King Hyegong. It is considered one of the finest examples of Buddhist art.