Seokguram Grotto

Definition

Mark Cartwright
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published on 04 October 2016
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Buddha Statue, Seokguram Grotto (by Jinho Jung, CC BY-NC-SA)
Buddha Statue, Seokguram Grotto
Jinho Jung (CC BY-NC-SA)

The Seokguram Grotto (Sokkuram) is a Buddhist cave temple constructed during the Unified Silla Period (668-935 CE) of ancient Korea. The 8th-century CE structure, located near the Bulguksa Temple on Mt. Toham at the ancient Silla capital of Geumseong (modern Gyeongju, South Korea), contains a large statue of the Buddha who is seated within a circular chamber beneath a stone hemispherical dome. Widely considered one of the great masterpieces of Buddhist art and architecture it is on the official list of National Treasures of South Korea and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Layout & Design

The artificial grotto was constructed between 751 and 774 CE, according to tradition by the chief minister (chungsi) Kim Daeseong (700-774 CE), and is set into the upper south-eastern slopes of the Tohamsan mountain near Gyeongju, the Silla capital. Granite from the mountain was quarried from behind the grotto and cut into large blocks to build the outer walls of the structure which were then covered in earth to create a mound. The design echoes similar cave temples in ancient India (e.g. Ellora and Ajanta) and China (e.g. Yunggang and Longmen). An entrance tunnel opens out into a rectangular antechamber – representing the earth - which then leads to a short vestibule with two octagonal columns. These columns frame the entrance to the large circular inner chamber, which symbolises the sky. The whole structure is reminiscent of mound tombs found throughout ancient Korea, perhaps originating in the Goguryeo kingdom (37 BCE – 668 CE).

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Exterior, Seokguram Grotto
Exterior, Seokguram Grotto
elmoberg (CC BY)

Interior Sculpture

The interior walls of the grotto are decorated with a total of 41 figure sculptures, which are regarded as amongst the finest ever produced in Korea. The rectangular chamber has figures carved in relief, each on a two-metre-high rectangular panel – eight are of Parivara figures and two of Vajra-pani. Four relief guardians are set into the walls of the vestibule.

The 3.45 m high Buddha offers protection from Any threat coming across the facing East Sea.

In the circular inner chamber is a white granite statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha which is 3.45 metres high. He sits cross-legged on a large circular pedestal or throne, itself 1.6 metres high, and he faces east, thereby offering protection against invasion across the East Sea, especially from Japanese pirates who were prevalent at the time of construction. Significantly, the rising sun strikes the statue right on the centre of the forehead. The statue was originally painted red, but only faint traces remain. Buddha strikes the dyhana mudra pose with his left hand laid on his left thigh. His right hand is placed on the right knee with fingers extended in the bhumisparsa mudra gesture. He wears a simple robe worn over the left shoulder.

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Buddha, Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju
Buddha, Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju
Richardfabi (CC BY-SA)

Set behind the Buddha's head (as seen from the entrance) is a lotus-halo. The wall of the inner chamber is again formed by a perfectly symmetrical arrangement of rectangular 1.6 m tall slabs, this time carrying relief figures depicting three bodhisattvas (specifically Manjusri, Samantabhadra, and Ekadasamukha), two devas (Brahma and Sakra-devendra), and ten disciples. Perhaps the most appreciated by art historians is the figure of Avalokitesvara, the eleven-headed bodhisattva associated with mercy. Above these figures are ten niches, originally with a seated bodhisattva in each one but two figures are missing.

Avalokitesvara, Seokguram Grotto
Avalokitesvara, Seokguram Grotto
Unkonwn (Public Domain)

Restoration

The Grotto of Seokguram was restored by the Japanese at the beginning of the 20th century CE, and not all scholars agree that the restoration is entirely faithful to the original temple structure. Following the works, the grotto suffered from humidity which was damaging the sculptures. This has now been resolved, but the incident illustrated that the original Silla architects purposely built the grotto over an underground stream so that the lower temperature of the flooring brought humidity down from the ceiling, thus better preserving the artworks within. Scholars also suggest that ten recesses built into the dome had holes which allowed ventilation, which further helped humid air escape from the chamber.

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Manjusri, Seokguram Grotto
Manjusri, Seokguram Grotto
Unknown (Public Domain)

The grotto was further repaired in the latter part of the 20th century CE, and although still possible to visit inside, the inner chamber is protected by a glass partition. Seokguram features at position no. 24 on the official state list of National Treasures of Korea. As the art historian Jane Portal summarises, "the cave temple at Sokkuram is as technically perfect and elegant as it is possible to be" (21).

This content was made possible with generous support from the British Korean Society.

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About the Author

Mark Cartwright
Mark is a full-time writer, researcher, historian, and editor. Special interests include art, architecture, and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the WHE Publishing Director.

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APA Style

Cartwright, M. (2016, October 04). Seokguram Grotto. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/Seokguram_Grotto/

Chicago Style

Cartwright, Mark. "Seokguram Grotto." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified October 04, 2016. https://www.worldhistory.org/Seokguram_Grotto/.

MLA Style

Cartwright, Mark. "Seokguram Grotto." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 04 Oct 2016. Web. 12 Oct 2024.

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