Donghwasa Temple Biroam Hermitage: Vairocana Buddha
Stone
Donghwasa Temple Biroam Hermitage: Vairocana Buddha
Donghwasa Temple Biroam Hermitage: Vairocana Buddha (detail)
Donghwasa Temple Biroam Hermitage: Vairocana Buddha
SOUTH KOREA, Daegu; Unified Silla dynasty
This statue was made in 863 to pray for the well being of King Minae (reigned 838–839). The statue is considered one of the most prominent sculptures in the history of the Silla dynasty (57 BCE–935 CE). It was listed as Treasure No. 244 in 1963.
The actual height of the seated figure is 129 cm. The Buddha wears monastic robes and sits in a full lotus position with hands in the bodhyangi (wisdom fist) mudra. The intersecting nimbus and aureole are particularly noteworthy in their uniqueness and are decorated with nine seated Buddhas. Bodhisattvas flank the Buddha at the apex. The lotus throne is octagonal, a shape popular during the Silla dynasty. A three-tier pedestal, with its upper section decorated with lions surrounded by clouds, supports the throne.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 302.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F},
pages = 302,
title = {{Donghwasa Temple Biroam Hermitage: Vairocana Buddha}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}