Munsusan Maae Bosalsang (Rock-carved Bodhisattva on Munsusan Mountain)

This is a rock-carved Buddha from the early Goryeo period, carved on a rock face near the summit of Munsusan Mountain in Munchon-ri, Wonsam-myeon, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. About 50 meters away, there is a site presumed to be a hermitage. The rock face is divided into two, with two bodhisattva statues standing on lotus pedestals carved symmetrically on each rock. Currently, only the bodhisattva statues are present without a central main Buddha, so it is unknown whether there was originally a main statue in the center or if the creation of a main Buddha was never completed. The left bodhisattva is in lower relief compared to the right one. The two statues differ in that the right one has a bald head, while the left one appears to wear a crown. Apart from that, both statues show similar expression patterns, such as having nothing on the upper body and wearing a skirt on the lower body. The left bodhisattva has a square, plump face with relatively distinct eyes, nose, and mouth, and a short neck with samdo (three lines symbolizing the wisdom of Buddha). The right hand hangs naturally, while the left hand touches the thumb and index finger together at the chest. The right bodhisattva has a more distinct smile and long ears reaching down to the shoulders. The hands are in a symmetrical position to those of the left statue. The large face relative to the body, and the simple, schematic depiction of body parts including the face, reflect the style of the early Goryeo period.

(Source: National Heritage Administration website)