Seated Sungnimsa Temple Bogwangjeon Hall Wooden Shakyamuni Buddha

This is the seated Shakyamuni Buddha enshrined in Bogwangjeon Hall of Sungnimsa Temple, made over 1613 and the following year, 1614, in the fifth and sixth years of King Gwanghaegun of Joseon. Carved of wood, the statue is very large in scale, with an overall height of 110 m, a head 35 cm high, a shoulder width of 48 cm, and a knee width of about 77 cm, giving an overall impression of stability and weight. The head is fitted with small, snail-shell-shaped curls of hair, and a round usnisa (cranial protuberance) gives a gentle, full impression. The relatively slender oval face has features that seem drawn somewhat inward. The bow-shaped eyebrows narrow gradually as they run into the nose, forming a high, straight ridge. Compared with the face, the body is on the large side, with the two knees in the full lotus posture spread wide, giving an overall impression that is both stable and well balanced. The robe is worn draped over both shoulders; the fold of cloth wrapped around behind the neck is so thick that it seems almost separated from the body. Both hands, formed into Shakyamuni's characteristic hand gesture, were carved separately and fitted onto the statue. This image shows well the characteristics of late Joseon Buddhist sculpture—a stable body, a balanced posture, and realistic rendering of the robe folds—and, because its date of creation is definitely known, it is valuable material for the study of Buddhist statues.

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Where it is

Region

Iksan, Jeonbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산