Yeongju Sinam-ri Rock-carved Triad of Buddhas

About this place

This rock-carved Buddha is located in the middle of paddy fields beside a path in Sinam-ri, Isan-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Buddhas are carved on all four sides of the rock, but apart from the central triad, the other figures are nearly unrecognizable. The main Buddha has a large topknot-shaped ushnisha rising prominently above a shaved head, with an oval and serene face. The robes covering both shoulders fall from the abdomen down over the legs in thick, flowing curves. The right hand is raised to the chest level and the left hand rests at an angle on the knee. The form and treatment of the drapery retain an older style, especially similar to the Yeongju Gaheung-dong Rock-carved Buddha Triad. The two flanking bodhisattvas both have shoulders very narrow relative to the body and no bodily contours expressed, with an overall plain and unornamented simplicity. All three figures — the main Buddha and the flanking bodhisattvas — have circular halos with flame patterns carved around them. Though small in scale, the work displays rich volume with soft expression overall and is thought to have been created in the early Unified Silla period. (Source: National Heritage Administration)