SeokGulAm is
an artificial cave built of granite blocks at
the top of Mt. ToHamSan.
The construction work got started
in 751 by Kim Dae-seong and took 30 years to
be completed.
It was called SeokBulSa at
first.
According to the SamGukYuSa(a
story-telling book), Kim
Dae-seong founded SeokGulAm for the parents
of his previous life.
The layoutof the grotto shows
a rectangular antechamber and a round main hall.
In the round a hall sits a
majestic 3.48-meter tall Buddha carved in granite.
There are various figures surrounding the Buddha.
Two Devas, two Bodhisattavas,
ten standing arhans, an eleven-headed Avalokittesvara
Bodhisattva(the Bodhisattava of Boundless Mercy),
Four Guardian Kings, Vajrapani and Vajradhara
and Eight Guardian Gods were scluptured on the
wall around the main Buddha.
SeokGulAm represents not only
the supremacy of Silla arts, but also is regarded
as the best oriental Buddhist work. Thus along
with BulGukSa, this grotto was designated in
1995 as the world cultural heritage by the UNESCO.
The majestic Buddha is facing
the Easian* Sea and Japan in the
hope of peace and well-being. |
