Iksan Yeondong-ri Seated Stone Buddha

About this place

The Iksan Yeondong-ri Seated Stone Buddha is a cultural heritage designated a Treasure on 21 January 1963. Only the head is missing; the body (bulshin), pedestal (daejwa), and halo (gwangbae) all survive intact — a remarkably complete Baekje work. The present head is a modern replacement; the current height of the body is 156 cm. The figure displays both a clumsy yet dynamic and graceful quality, seen in its broad shoulders, balanced proportions, and wide lower body. The robe draped over both shoulders falls to cover the square pedestal; the front hem forms U-shaped folds and the sides display omega-shaped folds in two symmetrical layers. The left hand has the thumb and middle finger bent to touch the chest, while the right has the third and fourth fingers bent down onto the leg — an unusual hand gesture. At the centre of the halo protrudes a rounded head-halo (dubwangwangbae) engraved with 16 lotus petals, with radiating lines fanning outward. The body halo also protrudes, and its outer area is carved with seven small Buddhas against a flame-pattern background. The Yeondong-ri Stone Seated Buddha's body is worn and coated in lime, diminishing its appearance. However, the pedestal elegantly displays the refined Baekje style of around the 5th century. Taking into account the form of the pedestal and the patterns carved on the halo, this is a rare Baekje-period Buddha of around 600 AD, exhibiting both grandeur and refinement.