Seated Mireuksa Temple Stone Buddha

Until the 1930s this Buddha statue lay buried in a low hill with only its head exposed; it was later enshrined in the main hall of Mireuksa Temple. It was carved from a huge natural boulder, with the figure sculpted on the front while the back was left plain, and is a colossal image measuring 280cm in height, 148cm across the shoulders, and 3m in seated height. Because it was carved from such an enormous natural stone, the figure gives an overall impression of heaviness, while the carving of the face and the folds of the robe shows a realistic technique. On the head rises a large topknot-shaped usnisha, and there are traces of nabal, the snail-shell-shaped curls representing the hair, though these are now much worn away. The body is broad-shouldered and imposing, and part of the area below the right knee has broken off. The parallel robe folds flowing over both shoulders form graceful lines down to below the knees, and between the exposed chest a sash tying the undergarment is depicted. The right hand is gathered near the abdomen with the fingers extended, and the left hand grips the hem of the robe, though its fingers have broken off; part of the lower section of the left leg, folded in the full lotus position, has also broken off. This is a stone Buddha carved from a huge natural boulder, and it shows particular similarity to the rock-carved seated Buddha (a treasure) at Bungmireugam Hermitage, Daeheungsa Temple, made in the early Goryeo period — in the massive rendering of the body, the somewhat full and voluminous face, the large, bold features, and the graceful parallel robe folds. However, its carving technique is somewhat rougher and more block-like, which shows the characteristics of a late Goryeo Buddha statue well.

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Where it is

Region

Jeongeup, Jeonbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산