Seated Stone Vairocana Buddha of Yongamsa Temple, Cheongju

This Buddha statue stood in the open air at Yongamsa Temple, within the grounds of Cheongju University. It lacks a mandorla, or halo, with only the pedestal and body remaining, and is a typical Vairocana Buddha of the late Unified Silla period. The head is covered with small snail-shell-shaped curls, above which a large topknot-shaped usnisha is depicted. The bow-shaped eyebrows, large nose and firmly closed mouth harmonise well with the full-volumed face, giving an impression of serenity. The ears reach almost down to the shoulders, and the neck bears three softly curved folds. The robe covers both shoulders, its folds rendered somewhat schematically as symmetrical parallel lines. This neat but rather static, slightly withdrawn treatment of the body clearly displays the characteristics of Unified Silla Buddhist statues. The pedestal consists of upper, middle and lower tiers, and each face of the middle tier is carved with incense burners, bodhisattva figures and the like. The work is regarded as showing the typical style of seated stone Buddha statues of the late ninth to early tenth century.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Cheongju, Chungbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산