Bulgoksa Temple Great Hero Hall: Vairocana Buddha

SOUTH KOREA, South Gyeongsang, Changwon; Unified Silla dynasty

This statue was listed as Treasure No. 436 in 1966. It depicts a Buddha seated in full lotus position with hands in the bodhyangi (wisdom fist) mudra. The monastic robe, covering both shoulders, is opened at the front and has folds moving rhythmically down the body in a series of raised lines. The worn lotus throne on which the figure sits is supported on an ornamented Sumeru base. The platform at the bottom shows a series of ogee-arched niches with images of elephants and flowers inside. The statue is similar to statues found elsewhere that were created around the late 9th century.