Mulgeolri: Seated Buddha
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Mulgeolri: Seated Buddha
SOUTH KOREA, Gangwon, Hongcheon; Unified Silla dynasty
The entire statue is seriously worn and has lost its mandorla. Both shoulders of the Buddha are covered by a monastic robe, the evenly spaced folds that belong stylistically to the end of the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935). The figure sits in full lotus position with right hand in bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra.
The octagonal support of the lotus throne is also typical of its period. The bottom tier is carved with recessed incense burners and winged humans and supports an inverted lotus. Above the inverted lotus element is an eight-sided cylinder carved with Dharma protectors, on top of which rests the wide three-layered lotus on which the Buddha sits. This construction was listed as Treasure No. 541 in 1971.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 728.
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 G-M},
pages = 728,
title = {{Mulgeolri: Seated Buddha}},
volume = 11,
year = {2016}}