옥천 용암사 마애여래입상의 양식특징과 조성배경

Abstract

In this paper, the stylistic features and background of formation of the standing rock-carved buddha at Okcheon Yongamsa Temple, which have not been discussed in earnest thus far, were studied. The standing rock-carved buddha at Yongamsa Temple was compared with standing rock-carved buddha statues made in the latter part of the Unified Shilla period and the early Goryeo Dynasty period and according to the results, the standing rock-carved buddha at Yongamsa Temple was assumed to be a work made in the early Goryeo Dynasty period in which new Goryeo-style elements appeared although it inherited the style of Buddha statues in the latter part of the Unified Shilla period with the distinctive face that gives a blunt impression, Buddha body that does not reveal a sense of volume or body shape, the awkward posture, formally processed clothes folds, and the expression of halo and pedestal style. The rock on which the standing rock-carved buddha at Yongamsa Temple was erected is considered to be a place where indigenous faiths related to dragons of local people had been located from long ago and economic prosperity in the region was prayed for thereafter in the early Goryeo Dynasty period when Buddhism was fused with indigenous faiths as can be seen from the formation of rock-carved buddhas and rituals related to pray for rain were held. In addition, it is judged that the lay believers in the Okcheon area established an association here to realize their purpose of reincarnating in the Western Paradise. Therefore, it is understood that the Buddha statue was carved on the dragon rock and painted in red according to the esoteric Buddhism’s site selection method in the rugged mountain. The standing rock-carved buddha at Okcheon Yongamsa is noteworthy in that it is a case where local Buddhists created a Buddha statue through the establishment of an association the early Goryeo Dynasty period, when Buddhism was popularized, and in particular, the fact that the Buddha statue was created according to the esoteric Buddhism style site selection method(擇地法) and guard grinding method(護磨法) can be said to be especially noteworthy as a rare case.