Eomul-dong Rock-carved Seated Buddha

A rock-carved Buddha [摩崖佛] refers to a Buddha statue carved into rock. The central main Buddha of the Rock-carved Seated Buddha of Eomul-dong is 5 m high and 3.5 m wide, and the attendant bodhisattva statues on both sides are 3.5 m high and 1 m wide, carved in high relief [高浮彫] on the face of a huge natural rock wall called 'Bangbawi'. Iconographically it is a Bhaiṣajyaguru triad with Sūryaprabha and Candraprabha as the two attendants, and the production period is presumed to be the Unified Silla period. The central main Buddha of the rock-carved Buddha is seated in the lotus position, with a large face and a convex uṣṇīṣa. Due to severe wear, detailed carving expressions cannot be determined, but a faint smile is visible on the full cheeks and lips. Both ears hang long down to the shoulders, and the three folds on the neck are clearly expressed. The robe is worn over both shoulders [通絹], and the detailed folds of the clothing are not clearly visible.
The right hand is placed on the chest and the left hand on the lower abdomen; due to severe abrasion the hand shape cannot be precisely determined, but it is presumed to have held the medicine bowl held by Bhaiṣajyaguru [Medicine Buddha]. Bhaiṣajyaguru is the Buddha who heals the illnesses of sentient beings and is the object of Medicine Buddha faith. It is also said that those who wish for rebirth in the Pure Land and those who wish to be protected from calamities can receive salvation if they call the name of Bhaiṣajyaguru and make vows. The attendant bodhisattva statues on both sides are standing figures, much smaller than the main Buddha, and their faces are expressed larger relative to their bodies. They wear cylindrical crowns symbolizing the sun and moon, indicating they are Bhaiṣajyaguru's attendants Sūryaprabha and Candraprabha. The nearly semicircular rock wall forming the background of the rock-carved Buddha serves as a huge halo encompassing the three Buddha statues. The Rock-carved Seated Buddha of Eomul-dong, Ulsan is an important work in terms of the religious aspects of the Unified Silla period and the history of Buddhist sculpture in which rock-carved Buddhas were carved.

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