Seated Eupa-ri Stone Buddha

Originally located at a temple site in Sangdong-ri, Gonggeun-myeon, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, this seated stone Buddha was moved to its present location during the Japanese colonial period. It survives in an almost complete state, retaining its body, pedestal, and halo (nimbus) alike. The head bears small snail-shell-shaped curls, above which rises a small topknot-shaped bun (usnisa). The robe wraps both shoulders and is carved thinly and softly, its folds falling naturally over the whole body and covering the knees. Both hands are brought together at the chest, the right hand grasping the index finger of the left, though the fingertips are all damaged and the fingers themselves are lost; the hand gesture suggests the figure represents Vairocana Buddha. The pedestal is unusual in that its upper, middle, and lower stones are all square in plan, a very rare feature. The upper stone is carved with eight lotus petals, and each face of the middle stone bears a niche-shaped (ansang) motif; the lower stone is likewise carved with eight lotus petals, and the base stone beneath it has three ansang motifs incised on each side. The halo is boat-shaped, its upper part slightly damaged; its edges are delicately decorated with cloud and flame patterns, while the head halo bears carvings of lotus flowers and the imaginary bosanghwa blossom. Small Buddha figures are set at the upper right and left of the head halo, and one was probably also placed at the very top. Given the excellent carving and the pedestal built on a square plan, together with the sculptural technique of each part, this Buddha statue is presumed to date from the early Goryeo period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hoengseong, Gangwon

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산