Rock-carved Buddhas of Sinseonsa Temple in Danseoksan Mountain, Gyeongju

Halfway up Danseoksan at Geoncheon-eup, Gyeongju, huge rock walls rise in a U shape to form a stone chamber. It is thought that a roof was built over it to make a cave shrine, and ten Buddhas and bodhisattvas carved on its faces make a magnificent sight. On a separate rock face to the north-east stands a Buddha 8.2 m high, carved in relief. Its round face is full of smiles, and a small two-tiered topknot rises from the head. U-shaped folds are clear on the robe covering both shoulders, and a sash knot shows between the open chest. The right hand is raised to the shoulder, palm outward; the left is lowered, fingers down, palm outward. On the east face is a bodhisattva 6 m high, bare above the waist, the left hand raised to the chest and the right holding a precious vase before the body. On the south face, though it is badly worn, is another bodhisattva without a mandorla, making a triad with the two figures before it. On the east face of this bodhisattva are some 400 characters, recording that one stone Maitreya and two bodhisattvas were carved at Sinseonsa. On the north face seven Buddhas, bodhisattvas and human figures are carved in shallow relief. Along the top, from the left, are a standing Buddha, a standing bodhisattva without a crown, a standing Buddha and a pensive figure. All but the pensive figure point east with their left hands, a distinctive pose leading towards the principal Buddha. Below are two donors making offerings, wearing caps like socks, and a monk — an important record of how the people of Silla looked. Showing the Buddha style of the first half of the seventh century, these carvings matter greatly as the earliest form of the cave temple in Korea, and they are an important source for the currents of belief at the time.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

National Treasure · 국보