Jeonnam-Gwangju Special City Applies to Elevate Uncheon Temple Rock-Carved Seated Buddha Statue in Seo-gu to National Treasure

A Masterpiece of Large-Scale Early Goryeo Rock-Carved Buddha Statues
High Value for Pristine Condition and Unique Mudra

Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Special City announced on the 31st that it has applied to have the Uncheon Temple Rock-Carved Seated Buddha Statue in Seo-gu elevated to the status of National Designated Cultural Heritage as a Treasure.

The Uncheon Temple Rock-Carved Seated Buddha Statue, which was designated as a municipal tangible cultural heritage in 1974, is a Buddhist statue carved on a natural rock face, with an overall height of 3.61 meters and the figure itself measuring 2.45 meters in height. This work is considered a valuable research subject as an early Goryeo period Buddhist statue, as it combines the aesthetic qualities of Unified Silla Buddhist sculptures with the grand scale style (Geobulhwa) characteristic of the Goryeo era.

Uncheonsa Temple Rock-Carved Seated Buddha Statue

Despite being exposed to external elements for an extended period, the Uncheon Temple Rock-Carved Seated Buddha Statue has been preserved without any damaged areas. Its originality is also highlighted by unique features such as a mudra (hand gesture) in which both hands delicately embrace a rounded object, making it fully worthy of designation as a National Designated Cultural Heritage item.

The final decision on whether the Uncheon Temple Rock-Carved Seated Buddha Statue will be designated as National Designated Cultural Heritage will be made after a review by the National Heritage Administration and deliberation by the National Heritage Committee.

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