Seoksan-ri Rock-Carved Seated Buddha

About this place

The Seoksan-ri Rock-Carved Seated Buddha is a Buddhist image carved into the south face of a rock on the mid-slope of Bulgamsan Mountain, across the Seomjin River from Gumi Village in Sunchang. The rock is approximately 3 m tall and the Buddha image is 2.6 m tall, slightly larger than an adult male. The overall face is larger than the body, and since it is carved sitting, it is called a seated Buddha (jwasang). The face is nearly square; the eyes are worn and indistinct but appear to gaze slightly open, and vivid red paint clearly remains along the outlines of the large nose, thick lips, and forehead. The body is smaller than the face, with narrow, reduced shoulders. The right shoulder is uncovered, and the left shoulder has the robe draped over it. The statue is estimated to date from the 11th to 12th century during the Goryeo period. It was designated a Jeollabuk-do Cultural Heritage Material in 2003.