Stone Buddha Triad of Bongnyeongsa Temple

This is a stone Buddha triad enshrined on the altar inside the Yonghwajeon Hall of Bongnyeongsa Temple in Suwon. The principal Buddha sits in the lotus position, while the bodhisattvas enshrined to either side stand. The Stone Buddha Triad of Bongnyeongsa Temple is said to have been unearthed while ground was being levelled for construction on the hill behind Daeungbojeon Hall. All three statues are so badly worn on the surface, with parts broken away, that their details are difficult to make out. Even setting that aside, however, the forms were inaccurate and the carving shallow from the outset, and the hand gestures depart from those expected of a Buddha or bodhisattva, making it difficult to determine precisely which figures were being represented. All three have square faces, but wear to the crown of the head and the face has left their forms almost unrecognisable. The principal Buddha wears its robe over the left shoulder only, leaving the right shoulder bare. The right hand rests on the thigh and the left hand is held below the chest, but the detailed hand gesture is hard to make out. The robes of the two bodhisattvas cover both shoulders and drape down over the whole front of the body; the folds that should hang down to the chest from either side are rendered schematically as a few diagonal lines. The bodhisattvas flanking a principal Buddha are usually shown in mirrored, symmetrical poses, but here both figures hold the left hand to the chest and let the right hand hang straight down. The pedestal is simply constructed, and the lotus petals that should cover its surface are sparsely placed and all rendered in a simplified, schematic manner. Judging by the general form and carving technique of each part of the statues, they are presumed to have been made by local craftsmen during the Goryeo period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Suwon, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산