Seated Buddha Carved on a Rock Cliff in Heungyang-ri, Wonju

This seated statue is located on a rock cliff about 30 m northwest of Ipseokdae, above Ipseoksa Temple in San 1, Heungyang-ri, Socho-myeon, Wonju. It is the oldest stone structure at Ipseoksa Temple. Many names have been carved into the rocks at Ipseoksa, and below them are the recently constructed Daeungjeon Hall and Sanryeonggak Shrine, with the monks’ quarters farther below. There are no records detailing the history of the Ipseoksa Temple site, apart from an oral tradition that the Silla monk Uisang built a cave dwelling here and practiced asceticism. The statue measures 86 cm in total height, 24 cm in dan-go, and 40 cm across the shoulders. A halo behind the head and a mandorla behind the body are depicted, and the figure is seated in the full lotus position. At the lower section, a pedestal is carved in intaglio to support a lotus platform decorated with single-petal upright lotus designs. The head is fully rendered in relief, while the lower section is depicted with incised lines.

(Source: Wonju City Culture and Tourism website)