Difference between revisions of "Seokguram" - New World Encyclopedia
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In 1962, the South Korean government designated Seokguram the 24th [[national treasures of Korea|national treasure of Korea]]. In 1995, [[UNESCO]] added Seokguram to the World Heritage List together with the Bulguksa Temple. | In 1962, the South Korean government designated Seokguram the 24th [[national treasures of Korea|national treasure of Korea]]. In 1995, [[UNESCO]] added Seokguram to the World Heritage List together with the Bulguksa Temple. | ||
| − | Located on Mt. Tohamsan, in [[Gyeongju]], [[South Korea]], about one hour's hike above [[Bulguksa]] the grotto overlooks the [[Sea of Japan]] (East Sea) and rests 750 meters above sea level. Seokguram, and Bulgaksa are the number one destination for Koreans and foreign visitors in South Korea. Seokguram is reached by taking an hour-long hike from [[Bulgaksa]] through a mountain path. A viewing of the sunrise over the Sea of Japan is especially popular. | + | Located on Mt. Tohamsan, in [[Gyeongju]], [[South Korea]], about one hour's hike above [[Bulguksa]] the grotto overlooks the [[Sea of Japan]] (East Sea) and rests 750 meters above sea level. Seokguram, and Bulgaksa are the number one destination for Koreans and foreign visitors in South Korea. Although a toll road has accessed the site since 1973, Seokguram is best reached by taking an hour-long hike from [[Bulgaksa]] through a mountain path in the early morning. A viewing of the sunrise over the Sea of Japan is especially popular. |
The single historical reference of Seokguram is in the ''Samguk Yusa'' (Legends of the Three Kingdoms), there named ''Seokbulsa'' (석불사, ''Stone Buddha Temple''). [[Gim Daeseong]], the renown minister of the royal court who constructed [[Bulguksa]] in 751 also constructed [[Seokguram]]. | The single historical reference of Seokguram is in the ''Samguk Yusa'' (Legends of the Three Kingdoms), there named ''Seokbulsa'' (석불사, ''Stone Buddha Temple''). [[Gim Daeseong]], the renown minister of the royal court who constructed [[Bulguksa]] in 751 also constructed [[Seokguram]]. | ||
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Gim experienced reincarnation for his filial acts in his previous life. He dedicated [[Bulguksa]] Temple to his parents in his present life while dedicating the Seokguram Grotto to Gim's parents from a previous life. | Gim experienced reincarnation for his filial acts in his previous life. He dedicated [[Bulguksa]] Temple to his parents in his present life while dedicating the Seokguram Grotto to Gim's parents from a previous life. | ||
| + | Remarkably, Seokguram and neighboring [[Bulguksa]] almost vanished entirely. After the fall of the [[Unified Silla Dynasty]], the center of political power moved north on the Korean peninsula. During the Yi Dynasty, Confucianism ascended and Buddhism fell into disfavor in Korea. Seokguram vanished from sight until Japanese rediscovered the site during the Japanese Colonial Occupation of Korea. A Korean postal carrier is credited with the rediscovery of Seokguram in 1909. Traveling the wilderness area a violent thundershower forced him to seek shelter in a small cave. To his astonishment, he looking into the serene face of a perfectly scuplted giganic Buddha surrounded by intimidating guardian statues. That chance discovery led to the recovery of Seokguram. Those who have witnessed the beauty and magnificence of Seokguram shutter to think that this unmatched artistic and spiritual achieve might have been lost forever. | ||
| + | ==Reconstruction== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Because of the long periods of abandonment and numerous renovations, many details are disputed amongst scholars, such as the exact layout of the original grotto, the buildings in Bulguksa or the shape of the watercourse, which no longer exists, in front of the temple. | ||
| + | Repair and improvements were undertaken in 1703 and 1758, during the [[Joseon dynasty]]. The Japanese [[Korea under Japanese rule|Government-General of Chosen]] conducted restoration works three times, but it faced humidity and other problems. After [[World War II]], in the 1960s, President [[Park Chung Hee]] pursued a major restoration project to correct the work done during the Japanese occupation. The interior of the grotto can now only be viewed through a glass wall, installed to protect it from the large number of tourists it attracts. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Japanese archeologists began the recovery of the site. The Japanese Governor Terauchi proported a plan to move Seokguram to Seoul, building a road to trasport the stone to the port of Kamp'o. Korean local authorities, suspicious that Terauchi designed to steal the treasures to Japan by ship, refused to cooperate. Unfortunately, the Japanese efforts to restore the site in 1913 led to the destruction of the original foundational stones and the unprofessional use of cement and iron as a base. The cement caused the stones to sweat and water leaks on the dome. Temporary measure using asphalt and tar stopped the water damage. The next major restoration effort came through UNESCO in 1961 when Dr. Plenderlei from Italy surveyed the site. An ambitious reconstruction effort by UNESCO commmenced, finally completed in 1964. Among the important innovations, UNESCO installed climate control keeping the temperature constant. | ||
==Architecture== | ==Architecture== | ||
[[Image:Rinux1.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A close up view of the entrance.]] | [[Image:Rinux1.jpg|thumb|left|300px|A close up view of the entrance.]] | ||
| − | [[India]] began a tradition of carving the image of Buddha in stone, holy images, and stupas into the cliff walls and natural caves, exporting the practice to [[China]] and then [[Korea]]. Since the [[Korean Peninsula]] contains an abundance of hard granite unconducive to carving stone images into cliff walls, artisans had created an artificial grotto from granite. | + | [[India]] began a tradition of carving the image of Buddha in stone, holy images, and stupas into the cliff walls and natural caves, exporting the practice to [[China]] and then [[Korea]]. Since the [[Korean Peninsula]] contains an abundance of hard granite unconducive to carving stone images into cliff walls, artisans had created an artificial grotto from granite. Although the Indian and Chinese influences are pronounced, [[Seokguram]] displays unique design techniques such as the orderly spacing of the figures around the sanctuary. The porportions of the figures as well as the representation of divine and earthly qualities is unique. Scholars agree in the outstanding quality of the artistic work of Seokguram, many declare the work unparalleled. |
| − | The grotto symbolizes a spiritual journey into Nirvana. Pilgrims start at Bulguksa or at the foot Mt. Tohamsan, a holy mountain to the Silla, walking to a fountain at the entrance of the shrine where pilgrims could refresh themselves. Inside the grotto, the antechamber and corridor represented the earth while the rotunda represented heaven. | + | The small size of the grotto indicates that Silla royalty probably worshipped at the shrine exclusively. The grotto symbolizes a spiritual journey into Nirvana. Pilgrims start at Bulguksa or at the foot Mt. Tohamsan, a holy mountain to the Silla, walking to a fountain at the entrance of the shrine where pilgrims could refresh themselves. Inside the grotto, the antechamber and corridor represented the earth while the rotunda represented heaven. |
| − | The basic layout of the grotto includes an arched entrance which leads into a rectangular antechamber and then a narrow corridor, which is lined with bas-reliefs, and then finally leads into the main rotunda. The centerpiece of the granite sanctuary is a [[Buddha]] statue seated in the main chamber. The identity of the Buddha is still debated. The Buddha is seated on a lotus throne with legs crossed. The Buddha has a serene expression of meditation. Fifteen panels of bodhisattvas, arhats and ancient Indian gods surround the Buddha in the rotunda. Ten statues fill niches along the rotunda wall. The main hall of Seokguram houses a Bojon statue ''Bodhisattva'' and his disciples. Forty different figures representing Buddhist principles and teachings are in the grotto. Artisans built the grotto around | + | The basic layout of the grotto includes an arched entrance which leads into a rectangular antechamber and then a narrow corridor, which is lined with bas-reliefs, and then finally leads into the main rotunda. The centerpiece of the granite sanctuary is a [[Buddha]] statue seated in the main chamber. The identity of the Buddha is still debated. The Buddha is seated on a lotus throne with legs crossed. The Buddha has a serene expression of meditation. Fifteen panels of bodhisattvas, arhats and ancient Indian gods surround the Buddha in the rotunda. Ten statues fill niches along the rotunda wall. The main hall of Seokguram houses a Bojon statue ''Bodhisattva'' and his disciples. Forty different figures representing Buddhist principles and teachings are in the grotto. Artisans built the grotto around these statues to protect them from weathering. Half moons, the top decorated with a lotus flower, decorate the ceiling of the Seokguram grotto is. Silla architects used symmetry and apparently employed the concept of the golden rectangle. |
The grotto is shaped by hundreds of different granite stones. The structure has been built without mortar, stone rivets hold the stones together. The construction of the grotto also utilized natural ventilation. The dome of the rotunda is 6.84 meters to 6.58 meters in diameter. | The grotto is shaped by hundreds of different granite stones. The structure has been built without mortar, stone rivets hold the stones together. The construction of the grotto also utilized natural ventilation. The dome of the rotunda is 6.84 meters to 6.58 meters in diameter. | ||
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Two statutes in niches and a marble pagoda believed to have stood in front of the Avalokitesvara have been lost., Korean historians suspect them stolen during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s. | Two statutes in niches and a marble pagoda believed to have stood in front of the Avalokitesvara have been lost., Korean historians suspect them stolen during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s. | ||
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==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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* Adams, Edward Ben. 1981. ''Korea's Golden Age: cultural spirit of Silla in Korea.'' Seoul, Korea: Seoul International Pub. House. OCLC: 24569381 | * Adams, Edward Ben. 1981. ''Korea's Golden Age: cultural spirit of Silla in Korea.'' Seoul, Korea: Seoul International Pub. House. OCLC: 24569381 | ||
| + | * Bender, Andrew. 2004. ''Korea''. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet. ISBN: 9781740594493. | ||
* Tomasz, Julie. Fodor's Korea. 1993. Fodor's travel guides. New York: Fodor's Travel Publications. ISBN: 9780679023104 | * Tomasz, Julie. Fodor's Korea. 1993. Fodor's travel guides. New York: Fodor's Travel Publications. ISBN: 9780679023104 | ||
| − | * | + | * Yu, Hong-jun, and Charles M. Mueller. 1999 ''Smiles of the baby Buddha: appreciating the cultural heritage of Kyŏngju''. 1991. Seoul: Changbi Publishers. ISBN: 9788936470562 |
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 22:48, 9 April 2007
| Seokguram | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||||||
| Korean name | ||||||||
|
| Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| State Party | .svg){kind=small} Republic of Korea
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, iv |
| Reference | 736 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1995 (19th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
Although the Seokguram Grotto (Stone Cave Hermitage) is considered by many as part of the Bulguksa temple complex, that underplays the vital importance of Seokguram in Korean cultural history. Seokguram Grotto is considered without exaggeration the most remarkable and unequalled art treasure created by Far Eastern civilization. Buddhist cave grotto's in China are less remarkably created and preserved.
In 1962, the South Korean government designated Seokguram the 24th national treasure of Korea. In 1995, UNESCO added Seokguram to the World Heritage List together with the Bulguksa Temple.
Located on Mt. Tohamsan, in Gyeongju, South Korea, about one hour's hike above Bulguksa the grotto overlooks the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and rests 750 meters above sea level. Seokguram, and Bulgaksa are the number one destination for Koreans and foreign visitors in South Korea. Although a toll road has accessed the site since 1973, Seokguram is best reached by taking an hour-long hike from Bulgaksa through a mountain path in the early morning. A viewing of the sunrise over the Sea of Japan is especially popular.
The single historical reference of Seokguram is in the Samguk Yusa (Legends of the Three Kingdoms), there named Seokbulsa (석불사, Stone Buddha Temple). Gim Daeseong, the renown minister of the royal court who constructed Bulguksa in 751 also constructed Seokguram.
While Gim Daeseong carved the circular done ceiling out of rock, it broke into three parts and collapsed. Gim wept uncontrollable, falling into a trance. He saw spirits descending from the heavens, repairing the ceiling. When he came out of the trance the stone ceiling had been restored. Today the three cracks are still apparent. Gim ceremoniously honored the divine beings by prayers and burning incense.
Gim experienced reincarnation for his filial acts in his previous life. He dedicated Bulguksa Temple to his parents in his present life while dedicating the Seokguram Grotto to Gim's parents from a previous life.
Remarkably, Seokguram and neighboring Bulguksa almost vanished entirely. After the fall of the Unified Silla Dynasty, the center of political power moved north on the Korean peninsula. During the Yi Dynasty, Confucianism ascended and Buddhism fell into disfavor in Korea. Seokguram vanished from sight until Japanese rediscovered the site during the Japanese Colonial Occupation of Korea. A Korean postal carrier is credited with the rediscovery of Seokguram in 1909. Traveling the wilderness area a violent thundershower forced him to seek shelter in a small cave. To his astonishment, he looking into the serene face of a perfectly scuplted giganic Buddha surrounded by intimidating guardian statues. That chance discovery led to the recovery of Seokguram. Those who have witnessed the beauty and magnificence of Seokguram shutter to think that this unmatched artistic and spiritual achieve might have been lost forever.
Reconstruction
Because of the long periods of abandonment and numerous renovations, many details are disputed amongst scholars, such as the exact layout of the original grotto, the buildings in Bulguksa or the shape of the watercourse, which no longer exists, in front of the temple.
Repair and improvements were undertaken in 1703 and 1758, during the Joseon dynasty. The Japanese Government-General of Chosen conducted restoration works three times, but it faced humidity and other problems. After World War II, in the 1960s, President Park Chung Hee pursued a major restoration project to correct the work done during the Japanese occupation. The interior of the grotto can now only be viewed through a glass wall, installed to protect it from the large number of tourists it attracts.
Japanese archeologists began the recovery of the site. The Japanese Governor Terauchi proported a plan to move Seokguram to Seoul, building a road to trasport the stone to the port of Kamp'o. Korean local authorities, suspicious that Terauchi designed to steal the treasures to Japan by ship, refused to cooperate. Unfortunately, the Japanese efforts to restore the site in 1913 led to the destruction of the original foundational stones and the unprofessional use of cement and iron as a base. The cement caused the stones to sweat and water leaks on the dome. Temporary measure using asphalt and tar stopped the water damage. The next major restoration effort came through UNESCO in 1961 when Dr. Plenderlei from Italy surveyed the site. An ambitious reconstruction effort by UNESCO commmenced, finally completed in 1964. Among the important innovations, UNESCO installed climate control keeping the temperature constant.
Architecture
India began a tradition of carving the image of Buddha in stone, holy images, and stupas into the cliff walls and natural caves, exporting the practice to China and then Korea. Since the Korean Peninsula contains an abundance of hard granite unconducive to carving stone images into cliff walls, artisans had created an artificial grotto from granite. Although the Indian and Chinese influences are pronounced, Seokguram displays unique design techniques such as the orderly spacing of the figures around the sanctuary. The porportions of the figures as well as the representation of divine and earthly qualities is unique. Scholars agree in the outstanding quality of the artistic work of Seokguram, many declare the work unparalleled.
The small size of the grotto indicates that Silla royalty probably worshipped at the shrine exclusively. The grotto symbolizes a spiritual journey into Nirvana. Pilgrims start at Bulguksa or at the foot Mt. Tohamsan, a holy mountain to the Silla, walking to a fountain at the entrance of the shrine where pilgrims could refresh themselves. Inside the grotto, the antechamber and corridor represented the earth while the rotunda represented heaven.
The basic layout of the grotto includes an arched entrance which leads into a rectangular antechamber and then a narrow corridor, which is lined with bas-reliefs, and then finally leads into the main rotunda. The centerpiece of the granite sanctuary is a Buddha statue seated in the main chamber. The identity of the Buddha is still debated. The Buddha is seated on a lotus throne with legs crossed. The Buddha has a serene expression of meditation. Fifteen panels of bodhisattvas, arhats and ancient Indian gods surround the Buddha in the rotunda. Ten statues fill niches along the rotunda wall. The main hall of Seokguram houses a Bojon statue Bodhisattva and his disciples. Forty different figures representing Buddhist principles and teachings are in the grotto. Artisans built the grotto around these statues to protect them from weathering. Half moons, the top decorated with a lotus flower, decorate the ceiling of the Seokguram grotto is. Silla architects used symmetry and apparently employed the concept of the golden rectangle.
The grotto is shaped by hundreds of different granite stones. The structure has been built without mortar, stone rivets hold the stones together. The construction of the grotto also utilized natural ventilation. The dome of the rotunda is 6.84 meters to 6.58 meters in diameter.
Sculpture within the grotto
The main Buddha holds an eminent position in the world of Buddhist art. Standing 3.5 meters high, the Buddha image sits on a 1.34 meter tall lotus pedestal. The Buddha is realistic in form and probably represents the Seokgamoni Buddha, the historic Buddha at the moment of enlightenment. The position of the Buddha's hands symbolizes the experience of enlightenment. The Buddha has a usnisa, a symbol of the wisdom of the Buddha. The drapery on the Buddha, such as the fan-shaped folds at the crossed-legs of the Buddha, exemplifies Korean interpretations of Indian prototypes. Unlike other Buddhas that have a halo attached to the back of the head, the Buddha at Seokguram creates the illusion of a halo by placing a granite roundel carved with lotus petals at the back wall of the rotunda. The pedestal is made of three parts; the top and bottom are carved with lotus petals while the central shaft consists of eight pillars.
Accompanying the main Buddha, in relief, are three bodhisattvas, ten disciples, and two Hindu gods along the wall of the rotunda. Ten statues of bodhisattvas, saints, and the faithful are located in niches above the bas-reliefs. The ten disciples followed Seokgamoni. They line five on each side of the Avalokitesvara. Their features suggest a Greek influence. The two bodhisattvas are of Manjusri and Samantabhadra. The two Hindu gods are Brahma and Indra.
The Four Heavenly Kings guard the corridor. Guardian figures, also images of Vajrapanis, grace the walls of the entrance to the corridor, in the antechamber. Eight Guardian Deities adorn the antechamber.
The eleven-faced Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is on the back wall of the rotunda and stands 2.18 meters in height. This figure alone among the bas-reliefs faces forward, while the others face the side. The Avalokitesvara wears a crown, is dressed in robes and jewelry and holds a vase containing a lotus blossom.
Two statutes in niches and a marble pagoda believed to have stood in front of the Avalokitesvara have been lost., Korean historians suspect them stolen during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s.
Gallery
The entrance to the grotto. The rotunda is covered by a grassy hill in the background.
The Sea of Japan can be seen on a clear day from the grotto and it is hypothesized that the Buddha was made to protect the Silla kingdom from Wa attacks.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Adams, Edward Ben. 1981. Korea's Golden Age: cultural spirit of Silla in Korea. Seoul, Korea: Seoul International Pub. House. OCLC: 24569381
- Bender, Andrew. 2004. Korea. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet. ISBN: 9781740594493.
- Tomasz, Julie. Fodor's Korea. 1993. Fodor's travel guides. New York: Fodor's Travel Publications. ISBN: 9780679023104
- Yu, Hong-jun, and Charles M. Mueller. 1999 Smiles of the baby Buddha: appreciating the cultural heritage of Kyŏngju. 1991. Seoul: Changbi Publishers. ISBN: 9788936470562
External Links
- Korean Cultural Heriage Administration: Seokguram Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- Asian Historical Architecture: Seokguram Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- UNESCO World Heritige Site Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- UNESCO 360° Panoramic View of Seokguram Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- Ministry of Culture and Tourism: Images of Korea: Seokguram Retrieved April 6, 2007.
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