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Secondary sourceSculpturec. 751–774 CE

Seokguram Grotto

Kim Dae-seong (patron) · c. 751–774 CE

An 8th-century Korean stone grotto with a seated granite Buddha, a masterpiece of Silla Buddhist art.

Its granite seated Buddha in the earth-touching gesture is a masterpiece of his image in Korean art.

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A large pale stone seated Buddha statue with a halo carved in relief behind it, flanked by two dark stone pillars with lotus-carved bases. Pink flowers in vases, candles, and a red cushion sit in the foreground.
Seokguram Grotto, c. 751–774 CE. Gyeongju, South Korea.

About this source

What it is

Seokguram Grotto is said to have been built by Kim Daeseong in Gyeongju, Korea, during the Silla period, around the 8th century CE. It contains a large seated granite statue of the Buddha, originally called Seokbulsa, or "Stone Buddha Temple."

Why it matters

The grotto's seated Buddha, shown in the earth-touching gesture, is considered a masterpiece of the Buddha image in Korea. It reflects the skill of Silla artisans and the importance of Buddhism to the kingdom's rulers and patrons, such as Kim Daeseong, who is credited with commissioning it.

Look closer

  • What might the earth-touching gesture have meant to the people who worshipped here?
  • Why would a patron build such an elaborate grotto rather than a simple statue?
  • What do the surrounding carvings and setting add to how visitors might have experienced the statue?

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