Yesan Hwajeon-ri Four-Sided Stone Buddha

About this place

Discovered in 1983, the Yesan Hwajeon-ri Four-Sided Stone Buddha is the only Baekje-era stone with Buddha images carved on all four faces. The four-sided Buddha — also known as a directional Buddha — represents the four Buddhas who preside over the pure lands of the four cardinal directions: the Medicine Buddha (east), Amitabha (west), Shakyamuni (south), and Maitreya (north). The south face bears a seated Buddha regarded as the principal image; the remaining three faces each carry a single standing Buddha. The heads are severely damaged, with only the west- and north-facing figures partially preserved, and the separately fitted hands are all missing. All four figures wear robes draped over both shoulders, with a sash knot visible at the chest; the robe folds are deeply carved, forming a U-shape below the chest. The circular halo is engraved with flame and lotus motifs characteristic of Baekje. As the earliest known stone four-directional Buddha in Korea, it is a work of outstanding importance for the study of Baekje art and Buddhist history, comparable to the Seosan Yonghyeon-ri Rock-carved Triptych (National Treasure).