Cheonhwangsa Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha, Miryang

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1213

Category

Sculpture

Designated year

1995

Location

사천시, 경상남도— 경상남도 사천시 백천길 326-2 (백천동, 백천사)

Coordinates

35.575474, 128.984381

This Buddha statue is enshrined within the precinct of Cheonhwangsa Temple at Eoreumgol Valley of Cheonhwangsan Mountain in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do. It is an excellent seated stone statue of Buddha made during the Unified Silla. The physical proportion of the statue, including the repaired head part, is similar to that of the human body. The graceful shoulders, imposing chest, and thin clothes on the slim waist are expressed realistically. The robe with the right shoulder exposed has thin-layered pleats. This graceful, realistic shape looks similar to Buddhist statues made during the mid-8th century, but the refined expression of thin-layered pleats shows the characteristics of Buddhist statues made during the late 8th century. The pedestal is made in the unique shape of a lion seat, found for the first time in Korea. It consists of the top, middle, and bottom supports. The top support has a linked bead pattern carved elaborately on the slightly upturned, round disc base and a lotus flower pattern carved underneath. The middle support has a shallow round disc base with the carving of two lines of belt. The bottom support has the carving of 11 lions on the round base with lotus pattern. On the front side is a holed base into which accessories such as incense burner seem to have been inserted. This Buddha statue is considered to be the best one made in the late 8th century, drawing a lot of attention as the only statue with a lion seat. Academically, it is regarded as an important Buddha statue in the history of Silla statues.

Location