Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva of Daejosa Temple, Buyeo

This is one of the giant stone images of the Maitreya Bodhisattva that were popular during the Goryeo dynasty, and it forms a matching pair with the Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple, Nonsan (National Treasure). It depicts the Maitreya Bodhisattva, who is said to appear in the future world to save all sentient beings, and stands an enormous 10 metres tall. On its head it wears a square crown topped with a double canopy, with small wind chimes hanging from the canopy's four corners. Below the crown the hair falls in short strands, a hairstyle shared with the stone Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple. The face is broad and square, with large ears and eyes but a small nose and mouth, giving a somewhat unrealistic impression. The robe covering both shoulders looks thick and heavy, rendered in a very rough, unrefined manner. The arms are barely suggested by the folds of the robe clinging to the body, and the hands, too, are only faintly indicated: the right hand rests on the chest and the left, at the stomach, holds a lotus stem. In front of the bodhisattva a flat stone has been set out for offerings of ceremonial food. Overall, together with the Stone Standing Maitreya Bodhisattva of Gwanchoksa Temple, Nonsan, this image is highly regarded as a fine example of the same regional style.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Buyeo, Chungnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물