고대 영주지역의 불교와 가흥동 마애여래삼존상

Abstract

This study examined the construction background and value of ‘the Rockcarved Buddha Triad and Seated Buddha in Gaheung-dong, Yeongju’ based on the Buddhist culture of ancient Yeongju. First of all, this researcher noticed the situation and roles of Yeongju in the process of introducing and spreading Silla Buddhism. Yeongju was a passageway through which Buddhism was transmitted from Goguryeo to Silla and was located in the route of spreading Buddhism matured in Capital to the central and northern regions. These regional characteristics have been also found to have great influence on the creation of the Rock-carved Buddha Triad in Gaheung-dong. This study presents the Buddhist cultural value of ‘the Rock-carved Buddha Triad and Seated Buddha in Gaheung-dong, Yeongju’ as follows. (1) In the history of Korean thought, it is equipped with special presentness and placeness as almost the only case of testifying the replacement from Taoism to Buddhism’ in the period of transition from traditional belief to Buddhist thought. (2) It is ‘symbolic Buddhist sculpture announcing the start of the Unified Silla’ originated by the monks of Uisang-line Huayanschool and created as a national project. (3) Located in the transportation hub of Jukryeong linking the southern and northern Korean Peninsulas, it formed ‘the praying spot of Buddhist faith where they wished for the stable protection of the national traffic networks and safety in human movement and goods transportation. (4) It was ‘representative Buddhist sculpture of the Rock-carved Buddha Triad representing the locality and originality of northern Gyeongsangbuk-do and Yeongju, which shows the introduction and spread of Silla Buddhism both and convergence between old and new styles. In this respect, it has crucial value from historical, academic, and artistic perspectives.