Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha at Biroam Hermitage of Donghwasa Temple, Daegu

This Buddha statue, 1.29m in height, is presumed to have been made at the same time as the Three-story Stone Pagoda of Biroam Hermitage at Donghwasa Temple, Daegu (Treasure), which was built to pray for the repose of King Minae (r. 838–839). The round face is full, the eyes, nose and mouth have become smaller, and the smile has disappeared, giving a composed, dignified expression. Compared with eighth-century Buddha statues, the shoulders are noticeably narrower, the chest is flat, and the treatment of the lower body has likewise become blunter. This contracted, blunted mode of expression is typical of the Buddha-statue style that emerged in the mid-ninth century. The hand gesture is the one generally taken by Vairocana Buddha, with the right hand wrapping around the index finger of the left hand. The robe covers both shoulders, marked by regular, thin, parallel folds, and the U-shaped pattern on the lower garment is distinctive. The halo, representing the light radiating from the Buddha's whole body, is shaped like a boat, its edge carved as blazing flames. At the top of the halo is a Buddhist triad, and eight small buddhas are placed on either side. Complete with pedestal and halo and showing almost no damage, it is a representative example of the Vairocana Buddha statues that were popular in the ninth century.

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Where it is

Region

Dong-gu, Daegu

Designation

Treasure · 보물