Eunseonsa Stone Seated Buddha Statue in Bubal-eup, Icheon Designated as City Local Heritage

Icheon City in Gyeonggi Province announced on November 3 that it has designated the "Eunseonsa Stone Seated Buddha Statue," located at 232, Sanchon-ri, Bubal-eup, as a local heritage (tangible cultural heritage).

The Seated Stone Buddha Statue at Eunseonsa Temple, designated as a local heritage by Icheon City. Provided by Icheon City

The "Eunseonsa Stone Seated Buddha Statue," newly designated as a local heritage, is believed to have been created in the late Joseon Dynasty. The statue, which is in a seated lotus position, measures 54 cm in width at the lower body, 38 cm across the shoulders, and stands 48 cm tall, making it relatively small in scale. Currently, only the body remains, as the head of the statue has been lost.

The inner robe depicted on the chest is rendered using a shallow line engraving technique. The lower body, seated in a lotus position, features square-shaped knees and a flat upper surface of the knees, which are distinctive characteristics.

Unlike the typical "Bhumisparsha mudra" (earth-touching gesture), the right hand is turned upward, while the left hand rests lightly on the knee in a touching gesture. The city explained that this makes the statue a valuable cultural asset for research in Buddhist sculpture.

An official from Icheon City stated, "With this designation as a local heritage, systematic preservation and management have become possible," adding, "We will continue to provide administrative and financial support for local heritage to further develop Icheon as a city of historical and cultural significance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.