history

A stone Buddhist image dating back to the early years of Koryo (918-1392) has recently been unearthed in Yakjon-ri, Sukchon County, South Phyongan Province, and registered as a relic of preservation.

Officials and a research group of the Archaeology Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences and the National Authority for the Protection of Cultural Heritage have made a deep survey and unearthing of historical relics. In the course of this, they discovered this stone Buddhist image.

The stone Buddhist image depicting Amitabha is 171 cm high and 26-54 cm thick.

Through analysis of the position of the Buddha’s two hands and other depiction, scholars confirmed it as the image of Amitabha. They also deepened the survey of tile pieces from the surroundings and discovered that they were made in the early 10th century, the early period of Koryo.

The stone Buddhist image, well-trimmed with delicate and exquisite skills, will be of great help to the study of the history and culture in the period of Koryo as it is another precious legacy showing the excellent talents and wisdom of the Korean ancestors.