Stone Standing Buddha at Yongdamsa Temple Site, Namwon

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.42

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

남원시, 전북특별자치도— 전북 남원시 주천면 원천로 165-12 (용담리)

Coordinates

35.410390, 127.412627

This six-meter-tall stone standing Buddha is located at Yongdamsa Temple, which is thought to have been built during the reign of King Seong of the Baekje Dynasty. According to a legend, during the late Silla Dynasty, a monstrous serpent living in the depths of Yongdamcheon Spring was causing a lot of distress and trouble. However, the serpent stopped playing mischief when Doseon, one of the greatest monks of Korea, built Yongdamsa Temple. As if to confirm the legend, Daeungjeon Hall faces north toward Yongdamcheon Spring. This tall Buddha statue displays a prominent front, with both the Buddha's head and mandorla (Buddhist halo of light) carved from a single block of stone. The top of the head has a large usnisa (a protuberance symbolizing supreme wisdom), and the facial expression is powerful and exudes energy, despite the damage done to the rock. The three wrinkles on the neck represent the Samdo (the three ways to attaining enlightenment). The body is stout with broad shoulders, and the legs look as sturdy as stone pillars. The mandorla (Buddhist halo of light), which expresses the light emanating from the Buddha’s body is cracked and unclear in many places, but traces of spark patterns remain on it. The oval pedestal was carved from a large piece of natural stone. This statue of Buddha is regarded as the best remaining example of the large Buddha statues commonly produced during the early Goryeo Period.

Location