Bijungri Seokjoyeoraesamjonsang Mit Stone Standing Buddha, Cheongju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1941

Category

Sculpture

Designated year

2017

Location

청주시, 충청북도— 충청북도 청주시 청원구 내수읍 비중리 207-1

Coordinates

36.716716, 127.578919

The Stone Seated Buddha Triad of Bijung-ri in Cheongju is carved in high relief on a large stone, depicting the Buddha with haloes, seating on a square pedestal in the form of a lion, flanked by two bodhisattvas, although the one on the left has been lost. The Buddha is guarded by a pair of imposing lions seated on each side of the pedestal, and appears to display the hand gesture (mudra) that symbolizes fearlessness and the fulfillment of wishes. The format of the Buddha triad, in which the Buddha and his attendant bodhisattvas are placed under the same halo, became very popular in the mid-sixth century, while the lion pedestal was common in the early phase of the Three Kingdoms Period (ca. 1st c. BCE - mid 7th c.). The attendant on the right is characterized by heavy ornaments, including his bejeweled crown, attractive strands of hair flowing down upon his shoulders, and a necklace attached with a sharp-pointed pendant. The folds of the heavenly robe crossed over the figure’s knee, which is depicted in a softer way compared to the exaggerated expression of that in early-sixth century, reflect the influence of mid-sixth century Buddhist sculpture.

Location