Stone Seated Bodhisattva at Sinboksa Temple Site,

Sinboksa Temple, in Gangneung, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, was first built in 850, the twelfth year of King Munseong of Unified Silla, by State Preceptor Beomil. This bodhisattva is shown making an offering toward the Three-story Stone Pagoda at Sinboksa Temple Site, Gangneung (Treasure), seated with the left leg raised and the right leg folded beneath, both hands gathered at the chest as if holding something. The face beneath the tall cylindrical crown is full and smiling, giving an impression of plump good fortune. The hair visible below the crown falls long over the shoulders, and the robe draped from both shoulders follows the curves of the body naturally, adding to the realism of the figure. The bracelets, necklace and folds of the robe are rendered as thick bands, and the carving as a whole is rounded and heavy in style. This posture and carving technique resemble those of the offering bodhisattva before the Octagonal Nine-story Stone Pagoda at Woljeongsa Temple in Pyeongchang (National Treasure), and are regarded as a feature shared within the same regional school. The pedestal on which the bodhisattva sits has a rounded upper surface shaped to hold the figure, and its outer face is carved with two large, bold layers of lotus petals. The regularly spaced folds of the robe, the simplified ornaments and the carving technique of the pedestal show that the ornate elements of Silla have disappeared, giving way to the somewhat blunted style of the early Goryeo period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gangneung, Gangwon

Designation

Treasure · 보물