Standing Yeongju Yeongjeonsa Temple Stone Buddha

This standing stone Buddha is said to have been discovered underground in March 1924, after a resident of Yeongjeon village in Ukgeum-ri had a vision in a dream, and was then enshrined at Yeongjeonsa Temple. Originally the image formed a triad together with a halo (gwangbae) and a pedestal, but around the time of the Korean War it was moved to its present location, in the course of which the halo was entirely lost, the rear part of the pedestal broke off, and the nose, forehead, fingers and instep of the figure also suffered some damage. Nevertheless, its overall sculptural beauty and the technique of its detailed carving are of very high quality: the full, gentle face, the dignified shoulders, the flowing drapery folds and the arc patterns of the robe hem, and the upturned lotus petals of the pedestal all display the sculptural skill of the eighth century, the golden age of Unified Silla. Yeongjeonsa Temple in Yeongjeon village, where this Buddha was unearthed, is presumed to be the very site of Chudong (Songgotgol) on Sobaeksan Mountain, where the monk Uisang is said to have lectured for ninety days on the Hwaeom Daejeon, the great teaching of the Avatamsaka Sutra, before three thousand disciples — a connection thought to lend the site still greater historical significance.

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Where it is

Region

Yeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산