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

This is a mid-7th-century Buddhist triad carved on a large rock face near the summit of Seondosan Mountain: a huge standing Amitabha Buddha 7m in height as the principal image, flanked by a Gwaneum Bosal (Avalokiteshvara) on the left and a Daeseji Bosal (Mahasthamaprapta) on the right. The standing Amitabha, said to rule over the Western Paradise, has suffered extensive damage: the head is completely gone, and the face is damaged as far as the eyes. Yet the surviving cheeks, chin and pursed mouth vividly convey the Buddha's compassion and resolve. The massive physique descending from broad shoulders does not render the body's curves and so appears cylindrical, yet it is charged with an inviolable power and dignity. The robe covering both shoulders appears heavy, with only sparse U-shaped folds indicated on the front. The Gwaneum Bosal, the compassionate bodhisattva who saves sentient beings, has an elegant air in which inner religious rapture seeps out as a smile, showing refined craftsmanship in which nothing is treated carelessly. Compared with the principal Buddha, its body is more delicately rendered and its curves are relatively well expressed. The Daeseji Bosal, who is said to dispel the ignorance of sentient beings, is identical to the Gwaneum Bosal in every respect except for the shape of the face and hands; with a square face and eyes open straight ahead, it conveys a strongly masculine power. This triad is an important work of the transitional period linking Three Kingdoms period Buddhist sculpture to that of Unified Silla; the principal Buddha stands 7m tall, the Gwaneum Bosal 4.55m, and the Daeseji Bosal 4.62m.

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Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물