Volta
Culturelate 6th–early 7th century

Rock-carved Buddha Triad, Yonghyeon-ri, Seosan

Also called: Smile of Baekje, Seosan Maae Samjonbul

A Baekje triad carved on a rock face at Seosan. The generous, gentle smile of its central Buddha has earned it the name "the smile of Baekje".

Rock-carved Buddha triad at Yonghyeon-ri, Seosan — the central Buddha known for the "smile of Baekje"
Rock-carved Buddha triad at Yonghyeon-ri, Seosan — the central Buddha known for the "smile of Baekje"

Dalgial · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

This maaebul (rock-carved Buddha) is cut into a great rock wall in a valley of Mount Gaya. A standing Buddha in the centre is flanked by a standing bodhisattva on one side and a pensive bodhisattva on the other. The smile on the round, full face seems to change with the angle of the sun, earning it the name "the smile of Baekje" — the very image of the soft, gentle grace of Baekje sculpture.

Seosan and Taean lay where Baekje’s sea route to China began, so it is thought to have been carved by those who travelled that road. It dates from the late 6th to early 7th century and became known to scholars in 1959. It is a National Treasure, and appears in exam questions on Baekje Buddhas.

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States and rulers at the time
Baekje — King Beop → King Mu

Before and after

Earlier
AD 600 Gilt-bronze Pensive Maitreya Bodhisattva
Later
AD 600 Yi Mun-jin compiles the Sinjip

Themes that include this event

  • Changes in Buddhist StatuesAD 539 – 1100

    From a Goguryeo gilt-bronze Buddha in Northern Wei style and "the smile of Baekje" to the Seokguram Buddha, Balhae’s twin Buddhas, early Goryeo iron Buddhas and colossal regional stone figures