창원 불곡사 석조비로자나불좌상에 관한 연구

Abstract

The stone-build statue of 'wisdon fist'(Jigwonin)vairocana Buddha placed in Bulgoksa temple, Daebangdong, Changwon had never been researched alone since it was first introduced in 1965. The current temple was established on the abandoned temple site where the main statue was found. Unfortunately, we cannot figure out the purpose of the temple as no documentation remains. However, considering there exists Bonglimsa temple of which is one of nine Zen Buddhism temples in Changwon, it is inevitable to see the relationship between the main statue and Bonglimsa temple. Due to these circumstances, the study was conducted to find out the precise date of foundation through examining the style characteristics. Furthermore, we estimated the specifications of Bulgoksa temple site by reviewing the examples of the statues in Gimhae and Changwon as well as other Zen Buddhism temples. Besides, through looking into the general social background of the period when they built the statue, we analogized the reason why they constructed Bulgoksa temple statue. Being similar to the seated vairocana Buddha in Biroam, Donghwasa temple, the Buddha’s robe is drawn between its legs creating a large-U-shape. Therefore we assumed it was made in late 9th century, which is not much later than Donghwasa temple statue’s construction. We understand that Gimhae and Changwon are places where Nohilbuduk and Daldalbakbak became Buddha, also we can understand this was passed down till the end of 9th century through a repositioning version of seated Buddha in Yonghwajeon temple which is thought to be a Vajrasana of buddha. It seems that the statue has nothing to do with Bonglimsa temple, knowing that Bulgoksa temple is highly suspected to be a non-zen buddhism since main Buddhas of Zen buddhism are usually metal. Historically, it was the most vigorous days of the end of Unified Silla Dynasty, from the mid-King Kyoungmun to King Hungang, when the Buddhist rituals were performed fervently and Changwon was a Silla-friendly area. Futhermore, most Vairocana Buddha’s statues those days were formed with round pagodas to show their condolences for the deads. Thus, it is possible to suggest that the statue was also built for the repose of the deceased in Donhwasa temple statue by landlords in Gimhae and Changwon under Silla’s influence. It could be seen as an example demonstrating central driven Buddhist ritual performed locally.