
This rock carving is carved into the cliff at the entrance of Yongbongsa Temple. It was listed as Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 118.
The figure is styled after Buddhist images typical of the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935). It is cut at an angle in the rock face, which has been hollowed into a mandorla. The statue’s hands hang to the sides and appear especially small. Faint line incisions indicate the monastic robe that covers both shoulders. Three lines of 31 characters are engraved into the rock to the right, recording that it was commissioned by Jangjin Daesa and carved by monk Wono in the year 799. This information is recognized as an important reference for the research of Buddhist images produced during the Unified Silla dynasty.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves T-Z, page 1549.