Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

Geumgangam Hermitage in Boryeong enshrines a stone seated Buddha statue in the Mireukjeon (Hall of Maitreya Buddha). And along with the statue, a stone monument that gives a clue to the background of this temple’s foundation has handed down even though its bottom has been broken and lost. According to the memorial stone, Geumgangam was founded as a private temple for Royal Concubine Gwon under the responsibility of Venerable Yeongam who belongs to the genealogy of King’s Teacher Muhak. The Maitreya statue was created in winter, 1412 and sponsored by Gwon Hong, Mayor of Hanyang (capital of Joseon Dynasty, present Seoul), and his wife Princess Lee for their daughter Royal Concubine Gwon. Considering their situations, two motives of the creation of the statue can be suggested; first, for the conception of a son and second, for the investiture of Royal Concubine Gwon. Gwon Hong had some relationships with Ming’s imperial family, so it was thought that the Buddhist circle tried to use the influence of Ming to cope with the policy of suppressing Buddhism during the Dynasty Geumgangam stone Maitreya Buddha has unique characteristics in shape. Conspicuous of those are the okgaeseok (roof of stone stupa)-style canopy on his head and Younghwain mudra that is holding Yonghwa before the chest. The canopy is round and has six ridges on it, which makes it the one and single example of its kind. Also, the groove in the middle of each ridge shows the trace of dragon head-shaped ornaments that can be seen at the roof of stupa of Bogakguksa in Cheongyongsa site and that of stupa of Venerable Muhak. In conclusion, the stone Maitreya statue in Geumgangam is not only the single stone Buddha statue from early Joseon Period but also the earliest among extant statues from that period. Furthermore, with written record about the background and year of creation, it provides valuable sources for the study of Buddhist sculptors in early Joseon Period.