19.3 Baekje and Silla period Buddhist sculpture

The Baekje and Silla kingdoms, emerging in the southwest and southeast of Korea, embraced Buddhism in the 6th century. This religious shift greatly influenced their art and culture, leading to a flourishing of Buddhist sculpture during the Three Kingdoms period.

Both kingdoms produced stunning Buddha statues in bronze, stone, and gilt-bronze. These works showcased unique styles, blending Chinese influences with local traditions. The sculptures, like those at Seokguram Grotto, reflect the deep religious devotion and artistic mastery of the era.

Baekje and Silla Kingdoms

Historical Context of Baekje and Silla

• Baekje Kingdom emerged in the southwest of the Korean peninsula in the 3rd century CE
• Silla Kingdom arose in the southeast of the Korean peninsula in the 1st century BCE
• Both kingdoms adopted Buddhism as their state religion in the 6th century CE, which greatly influenced their art and culture
• Korean Buddhist art flourished during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE - 668 CE), particularly in Baekje and Silla

Spread and Influence of Buddhism

• Buddhism was introduced to Korea from China in the 4th century CE via the northern kingdom of Goguryeo
• The Baekje Kingdom actively promoted Buddhism and sent monks to study in China, who returned with Buddhist texts, relics, and artistic styles
• Silla Kingdom also embraced Buddhism, and many temples and monasteries were built during this period
• Buddhist art became a means of expressing religious devotion and political power in both Baekje and Silla

Buddha Statues

Bronze Buddha Statues

• Bronze was a popular material for creating Buddha statues in Baekje and Silla
• The casting technique involved creating a clay mold, pouring molten bronze into the mold, and then removing the clay to reveal the finished statue
• Bronze Buddha statues often depicted the Buddha in a seated meditation pose (dhyanamudra) or with his hand raised in a gesture of teaching (vitarkamudra)
• The Baekje Kingdom produced many fine examples of bronze Buddha statues, such as the Gilt-bronze Maitreya Bodhisattva (6th century CE) from the Neungsan-ri Temple site

Stone Buddha Statues

• Stone was another common material for Buddha statues in Baekje and Silla
• Stone statues were carved from a single block of granite or other hard stone using chisels and other tools
• Stone Buddha statues often depicted the Buddha seated in meditation on a lotus throne, symbolizing his enlightenment
• The Silla Kingdom created many impressive stone Buddha statues, such as the Buddha triads at Seokguram Grotto (8th century CE)

Gilt-bronze Statues

• Gilt-bronze statues were made by covering a bronze statue with a thin layer of gold leaf
• This technique added a luxurious and radiant quality to the statue, symbolizing the Buddha's spiritual illumination
• Gilt-bronze statues were often commissioned by royal patrons or wealthy aristocrats as a display of their devotion and status
• The Silla Kingdom produced some of the finest examples of gilt-bronze statues, such as the Gilt-bronze Maitreya Bodhisattva (6th-7th century CE) from the Hwangnyongsa Temple site

Maitreya Buddha

• Maitreya Buddha is a bodhisattva who is believed to be the future Buddha, destined to appear on earth and achieve complete enlightenment
• Statues of Maitreya Buddha were popular in Baekje and Silla as a symbol of hope and salvation
• Maitreya Buddha is often depicted seated in a pensive pose with one leg crossed over the other knee (bhadrāsana), or standing with his right hand raised in a gesture of teaching
• The Baekje Kingdom created several notable examples of Maitreya Buddha statues, such as the Gilt-bronze Pensive Maitreya Bodhisattva (7th century CE) from the Seosan Maaesamjonbulsang site

Artistic Elements

Iconography in Baekje and Silla Buddha Statues

• Buddhist iconography refers to the symbolic elements and attributes depicted in Buddha statues and other artworks
• Common iconographic elements in Baekje and Silla Buddha statues include the ushnisha (cranial protuberance), urna (dot between the eyebrows), elongated earlobes, and mudras (hand gestures)
• The lotus flower is another important iconographic symbol, representing purity, enlightenment, and the Buddha's transcendence of the material world
• The iconography of Baekje and Silla Buddha statues reflects the influence of Indian and Chinese Buddhist art, as well as local artistic traditions

Stylistic Influences on Baekje and Silla Buddha Statues

• The style of Baekje and Silla Buddha statues was influenced by the artistic traditions of China, particularly the Northern Wei (386-534 CE) and Tang (618-907 CE) dynasties
• Baekje Buddha statues often feature a more naturalistic and humanistic style, with soft, rounded facial features and flowing drapery
• Silla Buddha statues tend to have a more idealized and abstract style, with elongated proportions, sharp facial features, and stylized drapery
• Both Baekje and Silla Buddha statues incorporate elements of Korean artistic traditions, such as the use of symmetry, balance, and refined craftsmanship

Seokguram Grotto

• Seokguram Grotto is a Buddhist cave temple located on Mount Toham in Gyeongju, South Korea
• The grotto was constructed in the 8th century CE during the reign of Silla King Gyeongdeok and is considered a masterpiece of Silla Buddhist art
• The main Buddha statue at Seokguram Grotto is a monumental seated figure carved from granite, depicting the Buddha in a state of deep meditation
• The grotto also features a series of relief carvings depicting bodhisattvas, guardians, and other Buddhist figures, arranged in a symbolic mandala pattern
• Seokguram Grotto exemplifies the sophisticated artistic and engineering skills of the Silla Kingdom, as well as the deep religious devotion and cultural exchange of the Three Kingdoms period