Stone Seated Buddha in Haepyeong-ri, Gumi

This is the principal Buddha image of Bocheonsa Temple; aside from slight damage to the face and body, it retains both its halo (gwangbae) and pedestal (daejwa) intact. The head is covered with small snail-shell curls, and the topknot-shaped protuberance (yukgye) at the crown is barely distinguishable. The robe draped over both shoulders hangs without tension, but the sash knotted at the abdomen has a distinctive form. The right hand rests on the knee with fingertips pointing downward, while the left hand is placed at the abdomen, a gesture signifying the subjugation of evil spirits of the earth. The most important features of this Buddha are the treatment of the halo, which represents the light radiating from the Buddha's body, and the pedestal on which the Buddha sits. Both the head halo and the body halo are rendered as double circles containing scroll patterns, with a lotus design carved at the centre of the head halo. Small Buddha figures are carved at intervals around the halo, and an incense burner is carved at the bottom. Along the edge, elaborate flame patterns encircle the entire halo. The pedestal is divided into upper, middle and lower sections: the upper section is carved with fully bloomed lotus petals in a semicircular form, while the octagonal middle and lower sections bear lotus, cloud and apsara (flying celestial being) designs on each face. With its delicate and ornate halo and pedestal and its well-proportioned body and face, this work displays the typical style of ninth-century Buddhist sculpture.

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Where it is

Region

Gumi, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물