Historical relic—Sambul Rock
August 6, 2026Sambul Rock is the Buddhist images from the period of the Koryo dynasty (918-1392) carved on a rock in Kumgang County of Kangwon Province.
There stand two triangle-shaped granite rocks on the right and left of the road leading to the Phyohun Temple in Inner Kumgang of Mt Kumgang. The right one is Sambul Rock.
The rock is 8 metres high and 9 metres wide.
The Buddhist images are carved on the front, side and back of the rock.
Sambul Rock earned its name since the letters were inscribed at the side of the front Buddhist image by Yun Sa Guk in the 18th century.
The front one is the best sculpted one of the three Buddhist images.
Sakyamuni is located at the centre, Maitreya on the right and Amitabha on the left.
The images are in an upright posture and 3.7 metres high respectively.
Sakyamuni in a Buddhist robe looks dignified and there are six tucks of V-shaped patterns below the chest.
The robe reaches the ankles and the two bare feet are surrounded by oval lotus flowers.
It is conjectured as a work from the middle part of the Koryo dynasty from the positioning of the Buddhist images.
On the left side of the rock is carved the Goddess of Mercy which is 2.3 metres high.
THE PYONGYANG TIMES