A Mysterious Journey to Goesan: Discovering the Seated Stone Buddha Statue
[Goesan Travel]
Places to Visit in Goesan-gun
Goesan Seated Stone Buddha Statue
Goesan, popular for its charming atmosphere and cool weather in all seasons, is also home to the must-visit Mun-gwang Reservoir Ginkgo Tree Road in autumn. However, this post introduces the Seated Stone Buddha Statue located in a mysterious place.
While traveling a bit outside of Goesan, I accidentally discovered the Jijang-ri Seated Stone Buddha Statue, nestled in a hard-to-find location.
I spotted the sign in winter, which indicates how small the stone Buddha statue is and because it hasn't been introduced as a tourist destination, it might be difficult to visit here without setting a specific destination.
I got out of the car and captured the dignified Buddha in one photo, despite its small size. Mysteriously, as I approached the Buddha to take a picture, a light autumn rain began to fall. Could this have been a small gift to me for recognizing and visiting the Buddha after a long time?
Buddha guides sentient beings to the world of ultimate bliss, the Western Paradise, guaranteeing the afterlife. In Korea, many Amitabha Buddha statues have been created since the Three Kingdoms period after Buddhism was introduced.
The halls enshrining the Buddha vary slightly by region, including Geungnakjeon, Amitajeon, Mitajeon, and Muryangsajeon. The place I visited was not a temple enshrining the Buddha, so it didn't have a special name, but it enshrined the Stone Buddha Statue as the main Buddha for the villagers.
Although the Buddha is small in size, the hands, feet, and face of the Buddha carved into the rock were well-preserved even after a long time.
For the convenience of visitors, Goesan-gun has created a separate cultural heritage QR code, allowing anyone to easily learn about the cultural heritage they are viewing on-site with their smartphone.
The Buddha located here represents the Maitreya belief of the Joseon Dynasty. The reason why it is less elaborate than the Jijang-ri Stone Buddha Statue we often see in temples is because it was made by someone among the people who believed in Buddhism, not by a skilled stonemason. Everything about this Buddha statue is mysterious, including the time it was made, the name of the sculptor, and the method of preservation, but it is still ready to welcome future generations in its original form.
The mysterious Buddha of Goesan maximizes the use of the natural stone shape and carves the Buddha image on the front, slightly modifying the protruding part above the head to create a sense of familiarity. The space leading inside was blocked off for the protection of cultural heritage.
Perhaps because it reflects the wishes of the non-professional people when carving the Buddha, the Buddha's face looked plump and round.
Also, although the outlines of the eyes, nose, and mouth are clear, I felt a sense of clumsiness in expressing the details. The shape of the two hands and the expression of the knees are also awkward, but it is clear that efforts were made to represent the appearance of the Buddha.
The exact time when the Buddha statue was made is unknown, but it is recorded as a valuable resource for glimpsing the folk beliefs of the Joseon Dynasty. If you are planning a trip to Goesan, be sure to make a wish at the Goesan Mysterious Cultural Heritage Jijang-ri Seated Stone Buddha Statue (Seated Stone Buddha Statue) for what you want to achieve in 2025. I recommend Goesan for a weekend trip.
[How to Get There]
Goesan Seated Stone Buddha Statue: Sadam-ri, Sari-myeon, Goesan-gun
Source :https://blog.naver.com/goesan-gun/224080793833
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