Stone Seated Buddha at Gwanbong Peak in Palgongsan Mountain, Gyeongsan

This is a seated Buddha image carved against a rock face that encloses the summit of Gwanbong Peak, on the south side of Palgongsan Mountain in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, like a folding screen. Gwanbong is also called 'Gatbawi' (meaning 'hat rock'), a name that derives from the flat stone resting on the Buddha's head as though it were wearing a hat. Above the bare head, the topknot-shaped protuberance is clearly formed. The face is round, full and full of vitality, though the corners of the eyes turn up slightly. The ears extend down as far as the shoulders, and on the thick, short neck three folds are shown. The somewhat raised shoulders are broad and even, giving an air of dignity and robustness, but the chest is rather flat and the overall form of the body has become somewhat heavy-set. The two hands, though plain, are carved with precision and rest upon the knees; the shape of the right hand, its fingertips pointing towards the ground, resembles the earth-touching gesture that subdues demons, and is similar to that of the principal Buddha of Seokguram Grotto. For some time the image was thought to be the Buddha of Medicine, since it appeared that a round object rested in the left hand, but a recent three-dimensional scan survey confirmed that the thumb is in fact bent and resting on the palm. The pedestal on which the Buddha sits is square, with the folds of the robe draped down over its front and sides to cover it. The rock face enclosing the back of the image like a folding screen serves the function of a halo, though it stands apart from the rock behind rather than being carved directly from it. The full yet rather rigid face, the stylised drapery folds, and the flattened body, all lacking in suppleness, distinguish it from eighth-century Buddha images and instead show the characteristics of a ninth-century Buddha image.

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Where it is

Region

Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물