Buddhist Statues In Korea

Buddhist Statues in Korea 

Buddhist Statues in Korea

Buddhism religion came to Korea from China during the Three Kings period. Although the first Buddha images in Korea were imitations or simplifications of Chinese prototypes, distinctive features gradually emerged in Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. With unification in the late 7th century, the styles of the Three Kingdoms gradually merged. By this time new stylistic influences from Tang China were having an impact, and these were adopted with the creation of the mature classical style during the 8th century, a golden age in Korean Buddhist sculpture.

From the 9th century, images of the Shakyamuni Buddha with the earth touching gesture as well as those of the Vairocana Buddha with the wisdom fist gesture prevailed, while Chinese influences faded considerably. Buddhist sculpture continued to flourish in the Goryeo Dynasty. In its first half, from the 10th to 12th centuries, many colossal images inspired by the vitality of the new dynasty were created.

In the second half, the dominant political influence of Yuan China led to the adoption of the Tibeto-Mongolian style in Buddhist sculpture. During the Joseon dynasty, Buddhism was officially suppressed. Despite the various hardships generated by this policy. images continued to be made in Buddhist monasteries, exhibiting the taste of commoners and female lay worshippers. 

Although the head may look disproportionately large for the body and the shoulders narrow, the proportions are in good balance when looked upon from below, as it would have been by a worshipper. The chin is rather narrow, and the lips droop down at the edges, while the drapery resembles a series of wide belts. These features are also found in iron Buddhas from the Wonju area, Gangwon-do Province.

The two statues were dedicated by Silla official Kim Ji-seong in memory of his deceased parents and in gratitude for the king around 719-720. Amitabha Buddha stands upright with a stern face, while Maitreya Bodhisattva bends his body slightly at the waist wearing a benevolent smile. These pieces typify the high standard of stone carving in the early 8th century of the Silla Kingdom.

Maitreya Bodhisattva and Amitabha Buddha

Stone

Unified Silla period, ca.719

From the monastic site of Gamsansa, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Vairocana Buddha is an embodiment of the light of the Buddhist dharma pervading the universe. Vairocana images were first made in Korea during the 8th century and gained enormous popularity in the 9th century. This statue is notable for its round face, a well-proportioned body, and an exuberant halo.

Bhaishajyguru Buddha, or the Healing Buddha, cures living beings of illness as well as ignorance, delivers them from calamities, and provides them with food and clothing. This statue holds a medicine bowl in his left hand as a symbol of Baishajyaguru.

Made of Iron Buddha Statues

After its first use in Buddhist statuary during the Unified Sila Period, iron gained great popularity during the late Unified Sila and Goryeo Periods. As the spread of Buddhism widened among the general population in the Unified Silla, the supply of copper, a common material for Buddhist statuary, began to dwindle. Thus iron replaced copper because it was more readily available, despite the fact that it required more sophisticated control in casting.

Buddha

Iron

Goryeo dynasty, 10th century

From the monastic site in Hasachang-dong, Hanam, Gyeonggi-do

The statue has the same earth touching hand gesture as the famous Buddha of the Seokguram Grotto. Traces of hardened varnish are visible on its knees. This indicates that the image was originally covered with a thick coat of varnish, which had gold pasted over it.

The Buddha statue above and below are the same. It is believed to be one of the Three Buddhas of the Three Realm. Obviously, the head of this statue, rather large relative to the body, is leaning forward with hunched shoulders. This posture is from are rather quite common in the late Joseon sculptures of Buddhas to adjust the distorted proportion of the figure looking down on supplicants from its high pedestal.

Buddha (Iron)

Goryeo Period, 10th century

from Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do Province

The face of this iron statue is obviously noticeable in comparison to its small nose and round, soft cheeks. These are also visible in Buddhist statues excavated from Gaeseong, the capital of Goryeo, and other areas in the Gyeonggi-do Province.

Iron Buddha

Goryeo Period, 10th century