Seated Stone Buddha at Mireukgok Valley, Namsan Mountain, Gyeongju

This is a seated stone Buddha statue located at Borisa Temple on Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju. It has both a halo and a pedestal, and resembles the main Buddha of Seokguram Grotto, but is much more stylized. The face is round but not plump, with narrow eyes, a sharp nose, and distinct lips, showcasing the spiritual nobility and extraordinary sculpting skill of the Silla people in the 8th century. The statue features complex robe folds, a relatively flat chest, and somewhat small knees, which, along with the body proportions, demonstrate the transition from the ideal form of 8th-century Buddhist statues to the style of the 9th century. The halo, made separately from the statue, is ornately decorated with floral patterns, flame patterns, and small jewels. A unique feature is the line engraving of the Medicine Buddha (Yaksa-yeorae) holding a medicine bowl in the left hand on the back of the halo, leading some to interpret this seated stone Buddha as Amitabha Buddha, given the association of the Eastern Medicine Buddha and the Western Amitabha Buddha. Address: San 66-2, Baeban-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do