Stone Seated Vairocana Buddha from Seongnamamsa Temple Site, Sancheong

This granite statue depicts a seated Vairocana (Cosmic Buddha), who is the personification of the absolute universal truth. A reliquary discovered inside the statue bears an inscription stating that the statue was made in the year 766 during the Unified Silla period (668-935). The statue is depicted clasping his right index finger with his left hand, which is a distinguishing gesture of Vairocana. It is the oldest extant statue of Vairocana with this particular hand gesture in Korea.

It is said that the statue was originally located at a site of an abandoned temple site on Jirisan Mountain. Later, a resident from Seongnam-ri Village took the statue to their house and eventually gave it to Naewonsa Temple (today’s Deoksansa Temple) when it was built in 1959.

The statue has a large protuberance on the top of the head, which is a symbol of the Buddha’s wisdom. The three creases on the neck and upper chest represent the “three destinies” of afflictions, actions, and suffering. The robes drape over both shoulders, and its folds are carved with great detail around the shoulders and sleeves. Behind the Buddha is the remaining part of a halo which represents the auspicious light radiating from his body. Overall, the statue has well-balanced proportions and shows a high level of craftsmanship.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08