Buddhist Stele of Amitabha with Inscription of "Gichuk Year"

The Buddhist Stele of Amitabha with Inscription of "Gichuk Year" is one of three steles that were kept at Biamsa Temple. It is carved on a large boat-shaped stone, with relief carving on the front face only; on the back, an inscription of four lines is engraved. On the front, the figures of Buddhas and bodhisattvas seem to shift and transform in stages, as though a scene from Amitabha's Pure Land had been carved directly onto the stone. At the very bottom a band of lotus flowers forms the base of the whole image, above which a balustrade and steps are set. Above these, a pond is rendered in wave patterns, with a lion on each side of the balustrade facing its counterpart. At the centre of the pond is a large lotus flower, on which the principal image, Amitabha Buddha, sits. On either side stand several Buddha figures in standing postures, arranged in strict bilateral symmetry. The robe of the large principal Buddha covers both shoulders; the right hand is not clearly visible, but the left hand is raised below the chest. Bodhisattva images flank the principal Buddha, and between them only the upper bodies of arhats (saints who have attained nirvana) are shown. Beside the bodhisattva images a yaksha (a fierce spirit) raises one hand to support a heavenly palace, and beside that stands a guardian deity, an in-wang (Vajra guardian). Above the principal Buddha, five small Buddhas are carved in a semicircle, and above them again seven more small Buddhas appear. Branches and leaves fill the spaces between these figures, and beads and ornaments are carved throughout, expressing the splendour of the Pure Land. The stele is thought to date from the ninth year of King Sinmun of Silla (689). It is a fine example of early Unified Silla Buddhist sculptural style, combining elements from Three Kingdoms-period Buddhist images with newly introduced Tang-dynasty elements, and since its principal image is Amitabha Buddha, it also helps in understanding the currents of Buddhist faith at the time.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Cheongju, Chungbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물