Buddha

In 1936, this seated Buddha statue was found together with a gilt bronze standing bodhisattva statue at the wooden pagoda site of a temple site in Gunsu-ri, Buyeo. The statue exemplifies the overall roundness and softness that is characteristic of Baekje Buddhist sculpture. The Buddha has a very calm and peaceful smile on his plump face, and his shoulders are covered by a sanghati (outer robe), which flows down over his knees and onto the quadrilateral pedestal. The statue is thought to have been produced during the reign of King Seong (聖王, r. 523-554 CE). King Seong’s reign marked the political and cultural golden age of the Baekje Kingdom. During that time, Baekje moved its capital city from Gongju to Buyeo, and actively promoted Buddhism through various national projects, including the construction of Wangheungsa Temple (王興寺), the national temple which was seen as the guardian of the country.