Wooden Seated Vairocana Buddha of Biraesa Temple, Daejeon

Selected as treasure, the Seated Wooden Vairocana Buddha of Biraesa Temple is slightly smaller than an average person. Overall, it delivers feelings of calmness. The robe covering the right shoulder along the elbow extends to the left shoulder towards the back forming a large U-shaped curve over the chest while the inner clothes remain parallel to the floor. The hands meet over the chest with the left index finger sitting on the right index finger, forming a similar posture to *Jikwonin.The legs are folded with the left one on top of the other. This position is known as Gilsahngjwa in Korean, which is also known as the half-lotus in English. The virocana is only slightly bending forward and looking down. It has a rounded-off square face and a little upward twitch of the corner of the mouth gives an impression of a faint smile. On its head are large and normal-size oval marbles called Gyeju and three horizontal wrinkles on the neck are clearly seen.The characteristic appearance of the round shoulders, plump chest, and wide knees make it seem voluptuous and stable. The proportional body parts and wrinkles on the clothing make it seem true to life. The praying hands and the facial features in particular are expressed so naturally that they increase realism.It was made in 1651, the second year of King Hyojong's reign, by a Buddhist monk and sculptor named Mooyum according to the documents found inside the sculpture. This piece is known as Mooyum's major work and considered to be a valuable asset that en-ables research into the 17th century’s Buddhist subculture.

* Jikwonin: The inherent hand gesture of the Seated Wooden Vairocana Buddha of Biraesa Temple. The two hands are held up to the chest and the right hand wraps around the left index finger so the right thumb touches the tip of the upright index finger.The right hand represents the Buddhists" world while the left hand represents mankind and all the living things. This hand gesture symbolizes three ideas: mankind being saved by the teachings of Buddha, losing ignorance and anxiety and eventually gaining Buddha's wisdom. It also indicates that people are Buddha and vice versa in the way that enlightenment and confusion are essentially the same concept.

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