Rock-carved Standing Buddha in Hwangsang-dong, Gumi

This carving of a standing buddha is presumed to have been made around the turn of the Unified Silla (668-935) and Goryeo (918-1392) periods. It is carved on a natural rock cliff and measures 7.3 m in height.

The buddha has a large protuberance on the top of the head, which is a symbol of his wisdom. The three creases encircling his neck represent the “three destinies” of afflictions, actions, and suffering. His gently closed eyes, long, thin nose, and small lips give a merciful impression. A fiat stone was placed separately atop the rock diff to serve as a protective canopy for the statue.

According to a legend, a general was chased by an enemy but his life was saved by a woman who helped him hide behind this rock. Later, the general considered the woman to be a buddha and had this buddha statue carved on the rock.

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