나주시문화관광

Owner : state ownership Scale : Height 95cm Number : Treasure No. 461 Era : The late Koryo period Material : granite Designated date : 24999 As you walk toward the Mireuksa Temple, you will come across the Seven Rock-carved Buddhas (Treasure No. 461). It is unique appearance, with the Buddhas carved into a satgat (traditional Korean hat)-shaped rock. There are carvings of seated and standing Buddhas, which are all around 1m tall. There are two seated Buddhas on the top and upper right part of the sculpture, and four standing Buddhas on the bottom part. On the left, there are traces of two Buddhas carved in relief, but they seem to be have been shaved off. It’s been said that women offered devout prayers here based on a superstition that they could bear a son if they could spin a statue of a priestling or eat the stone powder. It is believed that the name, “Seven” Rock-carved Buddhas, was given due to the inclusion of the carving of a priestling. The carving style of the Seven Rock-carved Buddhas shows a retrogression, and based on the schematic design, it is speculated to have been produced after the mid-Joseon Dynasty. This is one of the rare Buddha sculptures, where multiple Buddhas have been carved with some of them leaning on a side on a cone-shaped rock. For this reason, it is considered to have high historical and academic value in relation to Korean Buddhism.