Wooden Seated Vairocana Buddha and Enshrined Votive Offerings in Beopbojeon Hall of Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.338

Category

Sculpture

Era

신라 9세기 후반

Designated year

2022

Location

합천군, 경상남도— 경상남도 합천군 해인사길 122(가야면, 해인사)

Coordinates

35.801200, 128.102200Museum-based location

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

Wooden Seated Vairocana Buddha and Reliquary Objects in the Beopbojeon Hall of Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon. Based on sculptural style, iconography, and scientific analysis, this wooden seated Vairocana Buddha is estimated to date to the late 9th century of Unified Silla, and possesses exceptionally high historical and academic value as the oldest extant wooden Buddhist statue in Korea. The wisdom fist mudra, one-shouldered robe with exposed shoulder, fan-shaped drapery folds between the knees, rounded face, and dignified physique show stylistic similarities to the 9th-century Seokguram grotto sculptures. The statue is carved from Korean juniper (sandalwood), distinguishing it from the majority of Korean wooden Buddhist statues made from pine or ginkgo. The construction method — a single cylindrical trunk for the body with separately carved and joined head and arms — represents an early proto-form of the wood-joining technique that emerged in the Goryeo period. The reliquary objects contain precious texts and textiles added during restoration periods from Goryeo through Joseon, with the 1490 restoration reliquary serving as a representative example of early Joseon royal patronage.

Location