Imyeongsan Mountain Stone Buddha Temple Site, Hadong

This temple site lies near the western summit of Imyeongsan Mountain, also called Imaengsan. It was originally a stone cave temple, but the ceiling has since collapsed, so its original form can no longer be known. A rock-carved Buddha that appears to date from the Unified Silla period is carved into the high cliff face, and is thought to be closely related to the cave. The cave has lost its original form, as both its walls and ceiling have collapsed, but it is presumed to have resembled the cave of Boanam Hermitage at Dasolsa Temple, in which natural stones were stacked layer upon layer like a stone wall. The rock-carved Buddha is shown seated and is approximately 6 m in size. The face and neck are carved in high relief, as though emerging from the rock, while the rest of the body is rendered in line; with lips firmly closed and eyes gently shut, the face bears a solemn and dignified expression as if lost in meditation. An interesting legend is associated with this site. The Dongguk yeoji seungnam records that Imaengsan was a bibosan (a mountain believed to supplement the geomantic weaknesses of a place) of Donggyeong (present-day Gyeongju), and that a dragon lived in a pond at its summit, causing many people to go blind and suffer; when a piece of fire-iron stone was placed there, the dragon moved elsewhere and people no longer went blind. Though this legend may seem far-fetched, the facts that Imaengsan was described as a bibosan of Donggyeong, and that a stone cave temple similar to Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju was later established here, are noteworthy as evidence of some connection with Gyeongju.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hadong, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물