The Beri Stone Buddha, with its childlike face, is regarded as a masterpiece of Silla Buddhist sculpture from the early 7th century.
Three stone Buddha statues scattered around the foot of Mt. Namsan in Gyeongju were lined up in a row in their current location in 1923. As the carving techniques used for all three statues are very similar, it is believed that they have been worshiped as a triad of Buddhas since they were made.
The central principal Buddha has a raised flesh (also called bone) on the top of its head, which is shaped like a topknot with two layers of flesh. Its smooth surface, rounded eyebrows and half-closed eyes that are smiling, its mouth full of deep dimples, and its innocent square smile with plump cheeks all express the Buddha nature that is friendly, gentle, and full of compassion.
The principal Buddha statue, which is five times the height of the head, has large carved hands, with his right hand held in front of his chest with the palm facing forward in the fearlessness mudra, which means "If you trust in me, I will remove your fear," and his left hand held on his knee with the palm facing forward in the wish-granting mudra.
The overall appearance of the statue, with its thick robe and wide pleats hanging down modestly in a U-shape, gives it an air of dignity; however, its out of proportion to the statue's innocent, childlike expression gives it the air of affection, like a country grandfather doting on his grandson.
The bodhisattva on the left is wearing a jeweled crown and smiling, his right hand is in the preaching mudra and placed against his chest, and his left hand is hanging down, holding a water bottle. The water bottle the bodhisattva is holding is a sign of his promise to help all living beings who are suffering, just as one would give water to a thirsty person, and such a promise made through an object is also called a promise mudra. The carving of Amitabha Buddha in the center of the jeweled crown indicates that this is Kannon Bodhisattva.
The Bodhisattva on the right is sitting on a lotus pedestal, holding a lotus in his left hand, lightly grasping the hem of his robe with his right hand and sporting a delicate smile. The carving technique and the way the robe is worn are slightly different from those of the Bodhisattva on the left, so it is doubtful whether this bodhisattva was carved in the same era as the other two Buddha statues. However, since this bodhisattva statue was lying to the right of the central Tathagata statue when it was excavated, it is thought to be Mahaseshi, the attendant bodhisattva on the right.
The Beiri Triad Buddha is regarded as a masterpiece of Silla Buddhist sculpture from the early 7th century, with its excellent carvings, friendly faces and figures that are rich in human emotion while also exuding religious mysticism.
| spot name | Standing stone Buddha statue in Bairi, Gyeongju Gyeongju border crossing |
|---|---|
| Address | 65-1, Baidong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk-do 65-1 |
| Details | Three Kingdoms period (early 63th century) Treasure No. XNUMX |
| Transportation | Take bus number 500 from Gyeongju City Bus Terminal |
Comment: