Stele of Pensive Maitreya Bodhisattva

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.368

Category

Sculpture

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1963

Location

청주시, 충청북도— 충청북도 청주시 상당구 명암로 143(명암동, 국립청주박물관)

Coordinates

36.649664, 127.512008

This stone statue made of pagodite is called bisang (a stele) because it looks like a memorial stone. The pedestal, the four-sided stone in the mid section, and the roof-shaped stone on the top are all made from one stone. Resembling the shape of a letter ‘T’, this stele has a cross-legged Buddha at the front with its left foot hanging down and the right foot on top of the left leg. The statue depicts a deeply thinking figure with its right hand under its chin. It is wearing a crown and is decorated with necklaces and bead decorations. On each side of the stele are standing Bodhisattva figures holding boju (one of many ornaments for the finial) in both hands and facing the front. The form of a triad is evident in this piece, with the cross-legged Buddha as the principal image. On the reverse side of the stele, a jewel pagoda is carved, from which it may be deduced that the Buddha figure on the front of the stele represents Maitreya Bodhisattva. In the frontocentral of the square pedestal is a round vase, and kneeling statues giving offerings are on either side. Kneeling statues facing the front and presenting offerings are also carved in the both sides of the pedestal. This stone statue is a valuable example of the cross-legged Buddha style based on the Maitreya faith which was popular during the Three Period. Judging from the carving method used for this statue, it was made in 673, the same year as the estimated creation of the Amitabha Buddha Triad with Inscription of “Gyeyu Year”, Offered by Jeon (National Treasure No. 106). These two pieces were found together at Biamsa Temple in Yeongi-gun Chungcheongnam-do. They were made not long after the demise of Baekje, so the level of Baekje stone art can be found in them.

Location