Yongbongsa Temple Rock-carved Buddha

This is a Buddha image carved in relief on a rock standing to the west of the entrance to Yongbongsa Temple, in Singyeong-ri, Hongbuk-myeon, Hongseong-gun, South Chungcheong Province. The rock was hollowed out larger than the shape of the Buddha before carving, and the surface is badly worn. The head projects markedly, while the body becomes more stable further down. Above the bald head rises a large topknot-shaped hair bun, and the face is oval and rendered with volume. The eyes and mouth are slender in proportion to the face, but a contented smile spreads across it, retaining many of the ideal facial features of eighth-century Silla Buddha images. The ears reach down almost to the shoulders, and the neck bears three curved lines, a conventional feature of Buddha images. The body is flat and lacks volume, and the U-shaped folds of the robe are carved very schematically and shallowly, making the figure appear even more two-dimensional. The right hand hangs down while the left is held against the body, an unusual pose, and both hands are noticeably small in proportion to the body. A lotus-pattern pedestal was carved on a separate stone, with the two feet carved upon it, but this is now hidden behind an offering stone made in recent times. Although the image shows the idealised realism of the eighth century, it also displays considerable features of ninth-century Buddhist sculptural style, and it is highly valued as a fine example marking the beginning of that later style. Its value is further enhanced by an inscription carved to its left recording that it was made in 799, the first year of King Soseong of Silla.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hongseong, Chungnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산