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Stone Seated Buddha of Unmunsa Temple, Cheongdo

청도 운문사 석조여래좌상 ( 淸道 雲門寺 石造如來坐像 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Stone Seated Buddha of Unmunsa Temple, Cheongdo
Quantity 1 Buddha statue
Designated Date 1963.01.21
Age Goryeo
Address Unmunsa Temple 264, Unmunsa-gil, Unmun-myeon, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do

This is a 0.63m-high stone seated Buddha from the Goryeo Dynasty preserved at Unmunsa Temple in Unmun-myeon, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It is a complete Buddha statue with both the mandorla (Buddhist halo of light) and the pedestal. However, thick powder covering the statue prevents accurate observation of details. The hair is done in a curly nabal style (i.e. twirled up and around in a seashell-shaped fashion) and the usnisa (a protuberance symbolizing supreme wisdom), shaped like a topknot, is clear. The face is large compared to the body and looks flat. The thin eyebrows, small eyes, sharp nose, and small mouth look out of place. Undergarments can be seen inside the beobui (sacerdotal robe), which is covering both shoulders. The right hand is on the knee with fingertips downwards and the left hand is placed around the navel. The hands are small and rough, without detail. The mandorla, which gives form to the light coming from the body, is unshapely, with only the formal spark patterns on the edges. The pedestal supporting this statue is divided into three parts. The top part is a flat oval with 14 lotus flower petals carved on it. The middle is hexagonal and the bottom part is an elongated hexagon with 18 lotus flower petals carved on it. This pedestal is unusual, using a special technique. This Buddha statue is presumed to have been made in the early 10th century, which inherited the Buddha statues of the 9th century, judging from its undergarments showing under the beobui and its rough style of expression.