Stone Seated Buddha from Sawol-ri, Sancheong

This image, which had been buried at a temple site in Sawol-ri, Danseong-myeon, Sancheong-gun, South Gyeongsang Province, was moved in 1957 to Geumseonam Hermitage in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province. It is complete with both the pedestal on which the Buddha is enshrined and the halo behind it, but many parts, including the knees, are broken. On the head, small snail-shell-shaped curls of hair are attached, and the face is excessively long in proportion to the head. The shoulders are broad and imposing, but the waist is rendered so narrowly that it creates an awkward impression; this treatment is also a feature that was popular in the late Unified Silla period. Although the proportions are not well matched, perhaps because the knee area is now broken, the broad shoulders and imposing chest give the figure a powerful form. The robe is worn so as to leave the right shoulder bare and cover only the left shoulder, and the folds of the robe are highly formalised. The fingertips of the right hand point toward the ground, and the left hand, placed near the navel, holds a medicine box. This suggests that the image represents the Medicine Buddha. On the halo, whose outer edge is almost entirely broken away, are carved lotus and cloud motifs and figures making offerings. The octagonal pedestal is carved with bodhisattva and guardian figures and large lotus motifs, which are likewise stylistic features of the late Unified Silla period. In all, this Buddha image is highly valued as a precious example of a powerful late Unified Silla Buddhist sculpture.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jinju, Gyeongnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물