Sinseonsa Temple Rock Carvings

SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Gyeongju

Sinseonsa Temple was the residence of the local hero Kim Yushin after he became a member of the Hwarang, an elite corps of young men trained in martial arts, music, and Buddhist philosophy. Reliefs of 10 Buddha figures, Bodhisattvas, and figures making offerings are found on four large granite rocks forming a U shape. The carvings date back to the 7th century and were listed as National Treasure No. 199 in 1979.
The Southern Rock at this site is engraved with over 400 characters, which display the temple name, and identify the carved figures on the other rocks at this site as Maitreya and two Bodhisattvas. The 8 m standing Maitreya is carved on one of the two Northern Rocks, and the 2 m and 3 m high Bodhisattvas are carved on the Eastern Rock and Southern Rock, respectively. A figure near the bottom of one of the Northern Rocks is depicted with an incense burner and a willow branch in hands, making an offering. A row of alternating Buddha and Bodhisattva images appears below the figure.
Featured on one of the Northern Rocks is another image of Maitreya, portrayed seated in half lotus position. This crowned figure resembles the gilt bronze image of the Bodhisattva in contemplation, which is listed as Treasure No. 83. This image is probably the only example of such depictions on a cliff face from the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935).