Stone Seated Buddha in Samneunggye Valley of Namsan Mountain, Gyeongju

This stone statue located near the top of Samneunggye Valley in Namsan Mountain depicts a seated buddha. It is presumed to date to the 8th or 9th century during the Unified Silla period (668-935).

Parts of the statue were severely damaged, such as the halo, which had broken into pieces behind the statue, and the lower face, which had eroded and was poorly repaired with cement. These were properly repaired in 2007-2008.

The buddha sits upon a lotus pedestal with a large halo behind him. His head has curly hair and a large, flat protuberance which symbolizes his widsom. His robes are draped over his left shoulder and arm. His right hand reaches down toward the ground, and his left hand rests on his lap, indicating his defeat of worldly desires and his attainment of spiritual enlightenment.

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