Rock-carved Standing Buddha Triad in Yul-dong, Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.122

Category

Sculpture

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1963

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 두대안길 69 (율동)

Coordinates

35.804711, 129.174539

This standing Buddha triad is carved on the rock that looks over the west of Byeokdosan Mountain in Gyeongju. The style of this Buddha triad resembles that of the nearby Stone Buddhas in Four Directions at the Gulbulsa Temple Site in Gyeongju (Treasure No. 121). As one of the major pieces representing the Unified Silla Period, this triad consists of the statue of Amitabha Buddha (enlightened being), which was very popular in the 8th century and was carved in the middle, and the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (on the left) and the Bodhisattva of Wisdom (on the right) carved on each side as attending statues. The Amitabha Buddha statue has a very large, bald head. The usnisa (a protuberance symbolizing supreme wisdom) at the top of the head is placed low such that it looks like a hat; this is similar to the stone Buddha statue at the Gulbulsa Temple site. The face is plump, with the trace of a nice smile. His shoulders are wide and straight, and the Beobui (sacerdotal robes) covering them is so thin that the body curves of the Buddha statues are revealed. This statue is an Amitabha Buddha since his right hand is held at chest level with his index and thumb put together. His feet are peculiar since they are spread to the sides instead of facing forward. Unlike the plump principal Amitabha Buddha statue, the Bodhisattva statue on the left has more feminine features. Its body curves are expressed fully, and the feet are also spread to the sides. The right hand is held above the shoulders with its thumb and middle finger put together, with the left hand holding a treasure bottle. The hand position of this Buddha statue shows that it is the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, which assists the principal Amitabha Buddha statue. The Buddha statue of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom on the right side is also similar to the left one. All of the statues have round carvings at the back of the heads, expressing the Dugwang (light coming from the head). Although these Buddhist images are generally similar to the Stone Buddhas in Four Directions at the Gulbulsa Temple Site, this Buddha triad was probably built in a different time because of the fullness of the body, shape of the feet, and folds in the clothes.

Location