Thousand Buddha Stele
Thousand Buddha Stele
KOREA; Unified Silla dynasty
The “Thousand Buddhas” expression usually signifies “innumerable” and refers to a style where all the available space is filled with miniature seated Buddhas. This stele is one of the earliest such representations in Korea and was listed as National Treasure No. 108 in 1962.
The high reliefs in the lowest section feature an enthroned Buddha with a flaming lotus nimbus sitting cross-legged between standing Bodhisattvas. The style is reminiscent of the transitional periods of the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE–668 CE) and Unified Silla dynasty (668–935). The group rests on a semicircular lotus base. An inscription on both sides detail the purpose and donor of the composition, and dates it to 673. Rows of small images continue above the group and continue to the other three sides of the stele as well as the stone canopy above.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture St-Z, page 1208.
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 St-Z},
pages = 1208,
title = {{Thousand Buddha Stele}},
volume = 13,
year = {2016}}