Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple, Nonsan

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.323

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려시대 전기

Designated year

2018

Location

논산시, 충청남도— 충청남도 논산시 관촉로1번길 25 (관촉동, 관촉사)

Coordinates

36.188228, 127.112748

The Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple in Nonsan was made around 968 by the monk-sculptor Hyemyeong during the reign of King Gwangjong (r. 949-975) of the Goryeo dynasty, and is the largest extant statue of its kind in Korea. It was designated as Treasure No. 218 on January 21, 1963, but was later re-designated as National Treasure No. 323 following the rediscovery of its value in relation to the religious activities of the people of Goryeo and the Korean history of Buddhist sculpture. Since this Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva expresses a radically unconventional sensibility quite unlike the sculpture of Unified Silla, which aspired toward ideal beauty, this statue is not only important in the history of Buddhism but also in the history of sculpture in Korea. In view of its uniqueness and perfectness, this statue is a worthy national treasure.

Location