Stone Standing Buddha Triad in Bae-dong, Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.63

Category

Sculpture

Era

삼국시대

Designated year

1963

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경상북도 경주시 배동 산 65-1

Coordinates

35.801772, 129.211247

The scattered parts of this Stone Standing Buddha Triad were collected from the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju and erected in Bae-dong, Gyengju in 1923. All three stone Buddha statues have the same basic design, revealing that they originally formed a Buddha triad. The principal statue is atypical in that its curly hair and usnisa (a protuberance symbolizing supreme wisdom) are not only duplicated, but also have smooth surfaces. The plump face bears an innocent expression, and has round eyebrows, downward-looking eyes, a closed mouth, deep dimples, and chubby cheeks, expressing the gentle and merciful side of Buddha. The body is cylindrical in form, and has no neck. The hands are quite large, with the left hand hanging down and the right hand holding up. The heavy-looking beobui (sacerdotal robe) gives a general impression of integrity, while the realistic childish expression and unbalanced body give off a sense of warm life. The Bodhisattva statue on the left wears a crown on its head and a smile on its face. Its twisted thin waist gives it a three-dimensional appearance. The right hand is placed on its chest and the left hand is hanging down, holding a "gem" bottle. This and the little Buddha images on its crown show that it is the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva statue on the right is also smiling serenely. The heavy body is decorated down to the ankles with thick necklaces and beads. This Buddha Triad is a remarkable work of carving that expresses human sentiment in its emotional face and body, while exuding a religious, mystical aura. It is held to be a representative masterpiece of seventh-century Silla Buddha statues.

Location