Standing Bronze Buddha of Tongdosa Temple, Yangsan

At just 15.5cm in total height, this is a small votive image made to be carried as a personal protective Buddha, or hosinbul. It stands on a pedestal carved with downward-facing lotus petals, and much of the original gilding remains on the lower part of the figure. A distinctive feature is the very large topknot-shaped usnisa, or cranial protuberance, near the crown of the head. The face is slender and gives an impression of benevolence almost feminine in character, with a faint smile at the corners of the mouth. The robe covers both shoulders, with U-shaped folds hanging below the chest, and the hem falls long over both arms, with oval-shaped folds rendered on both legs. The right hand is raised to chest height with the palm facing outward and the fingertips pointing upward, while the left hand is raised at waist level, also showing the palm, with the fingertips pointing towards the ground. The detailed technique, including the treatment of the drapery folds, shows the characteristics of protective Buddha images of the Unified Silla period, although according to tradition it was brought from Wolssiguk, the Yuezhi kingdom of Central Asia.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yangsan, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산