Stone Seated Buddha in Jeungchon-ri, Sangju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.120

Category

Sculpture

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1963

Location

상주시, 경상북도— 경북 상주시 함창읍 증촌2길 10-13 (증촌리)

Coordinates

36.568153, 128.171565

This stone seated Buddha with height of 1.68 m is enshrined in Yonghwasa Temple in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The face of the statue is almost square. With the straight and squared body parts such as shoulders, arms, and legs, the statue gives a strong, stiff impression. The neck has three lines of Samdo (three realms of existence where evil people go). The Beobui (sacerdotal robes) covering the shoulders is carved thinly. The right hand is placed on the knee, and the left hand is holding a jar of medicine. Therefore, this statue is believed to be the Bhaisajyaguru Buddha (Buddha of healing and medicine). Most of the mandorla (Buddhist halo of light) is gone. The pedestal has an octagonal pattern of lotus flowers as was popular in the 8th century. This gives the statue a sense of stability. The horizontal, half-opened eyes, mouth without a smile, and chubby chin show the transition into the Goryeo Dynasty’s Buddha statue styles from the Unified Silla Period. This statue carries the fullness and balance of the mid-Unified Silla Dynasty style and also has a formal, stiff characteristic showing the style of the late Silla Dynasty.

Location