Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha and Wooden Mandorla of Chukseosa Temple, Bonghwa

This Buddha is enshrined near the summit of Munsusan Mountain at Chukseosa Temple, though it is unclear whether the image originally stood at this location. The Buddha measures 1.08 m in height, and the face — with narrow eyes, a tightly closed mouth, and an upright, broad body — conveys a sense of stillness and stability. The robe draped over both shoulders is rendered with folds in parallel, stepped lines, showing a degree of stylisation. The fan-shaped folds spread widely between the knees take an unusual wave-like form, unlike the U-shaped folds seen on other Buddha images; together with the parallel, stepped robe folds, this is characteristic of the late 9th century. The pedestal is octagonal, a form popular in the late Unified Silla period, and is complete with lower, middle and upper tiers: the lower tier bears a carved lion on each face, the middle tier figures with hands joined in prayer, and the upper tier a floral design. Behind the Buddha today stands a wooden mandorla, carved with elaborate floral and flame patterns; this was made at a later date, and only the upper part of the original stone mandorla survives. This Buddha is one of the many images of Vairocana produced in the late Unified Silla period, and shares characteristics with the Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha of Biroam Hermitage, Donghwasa Temple, Daegu (treasure), offering insight into the carving techniques and forms of belief of the time. A pagoda record establishes an absolute date in the late 9th century, making this an especially valuable resource for the study of late Unified Silla Buddha images.

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Where it is

Region

Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물