Gaheungdong Rock Carvings: Buddha Triad

SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Yeongju; Silla dynasty

This Buddha Triad, carved in high relief from a granite rock face, was listed as Treasure No. 221 in 1963. The Buddha in the center is seated in full lotus postion on a lotus throne. The figure’s monastic robes are elaborately folded, and the hands are depicted in the abhaya (fearlessness) and varada (wish-granting) mudras. A lotus-patterned nimbus with a floral outer edge ornamented with five Buddha images, as well as a flame-patterned mandorla, are depicted behind the Buddha. The face of the Bodhisattva on the right has largely worn away. The left hand turns inwards to the shoulder and the right rests at the waist. The crowned and richly robed Bodhisattva to the left has hands raised in anjali (reverence) mudra.