Two Rock-carved Seated Buddhas in Wonpung-ri, Goesan

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.97

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1963

Location

괴산군, 충청북도— 충북 괴산군 연풍면 원풍리 산124-2번지

Coordinates

36.791826, 128.023165

These two rock-carved seated Buddhas, of a kind rarely seen in Korea, are carved side by side in a large 12-meter-high rock. They have round smiling faces with wide but narrow eyes and flat mouths, creating a merciful expression. Their large bodies with square shoulders and flat chests were carved in a formal manner, without curves. The beobui (sacerdotal robe) draped across both shoulders has inexpressive lines of folds. Small carved Buddha images can be seen on the mandorla (a characteristic figure expressing the halo of light emanating from the Buddha’s body), but all the other small details have worn away over time. Other examples of two Buddha statues carved side by side include the rock-carved Buddha at Jungnyeong and the bronze images of the seated Buddha excavated at the Jeondaesa Temple Site, which may have been influenced by the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise and the fables of the Sakyamuni Buddha in the Sutra of the Lotus.

Location