Rock-carved Bodhisattva at Sinseonam Hermitage in Namsan Mountain, Gyeongju

Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju is a treasure house of relics and historic sites, where visitors can encounter Buddhist statues spanning from the Three Kingdoms period through to the late Unified Silla period. Among them is this rock-carved bodhisattva, 1.4 m in height, carved into the south-facing rock that rises directly above Chilburam Hermitage. The figure appears to be seated upon clouds, and wears a three-sided jewelled crown on its head, identifying it as a bodhisattva. The face is full, and the eyes, gently closed as if in deep contemplation, seem to be watching over all sentient beings from a world above the clouds. The right hand holds a flower, while the left hand is raised to chest height in the gesture of preaching the Buddhist law. The heavenly robe is extremely thin, so that the curves of the body show through realistically, and its folds drape over the pedestal and hang down at length. Because the halo itself, comprising a head halo and a body halo, has been used as the very space in which the figure sits, the bodhisattva stands out all the more prominently. The work is thought to date from the late eighth century of the Unified Silla period.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

06:00-18:00

Closed

N/A (Open all year round)

Admission

Free

Parking

Available

Information

+82-54-777-1330

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물