Stories of Korea’s National Treasures 28
Photo Credit: Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
Gilt-bronze Standing Medicine Buddha of Baengnyulsa Temple
(Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
🏯 1. The Buddha Who Heals with Light
On the serene grounds of Baengnyulsa Temple in Gyeongju stands the Gilt-bronze Standing Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru), a luminous figure of healing and hope.
Created in the Unified Silla period (8th century), this statue represents the Medicine Buddha, who cures not only physical illness but also the suffering of the mind. In Buddhist belief, his radiant blue light brings comfort to all beings, guiding them toward peace and wholeness.
The statue embodies this compassion in every detail — calm, balanced, and deeply human — a gentle presence that seems to listen to the pain of the world.
🪨 2. Artistic Features and Structure
This gilt-bronze statue stands approximately 1.56 meters tall and is one of the finest examples of early Silla Buddhist sculpture. The figure stands gracefully on a lotus pedestal, the body proportioned with precision and spiritual dignity.
The right hand is raised in the gesture of granting blessings (abhaya mudra), while the left hand holds a small medicine bowl, symbolizing healing. The robe flows naturally along the body, revealing both technical mastery and artistic sensitivity.
The soft, compassionate smile and the clear gaze express a perfect balance between human tenderness and divine serenity, revealing how deeply Silla artists understood the spiritual dimension of their craft.
🌄 3. Symbolism of Healing and Enlightenment
The Medicine Buddha, known as Bhaisajyaguru, is venerated as the Buddha of healing, wisdom, and light. His golden form reflects the belief that true healing arises not from external medicine, but from inner awakening and compassion.
To the people of Silla, standing before this statue was not merely an act of worship — it was a moment of solace, a reminder that peace begins in the heart that chooses kindness.
When sunlight touches the golden surface of the statue, it seems as if warmth itself radiates outward, dissolving pain into quiet light.
🌿 4. Preservation and Legacy
Though more than a millennium old, the Gilt-bronze Standing Medicine Buddha of Baengnyulsa Temple remains remarkably well preserved. Its gilded surface retains a soft, gentle glow, and its proportions show the technical excellence of Silla metal casting.
Designated National Treasure No. 28, this sculpture continues to inspire not only Buddhist practitioners but also art historians and visitors from around the world. It reminds us that beauty born of compassion can heal across centuries — that light and mercy never fade.
💬 5. A Warm Reflection
“The Medicine Buddha’s light does not burn; it soothes.
It reminds us that healing begins not with the body,
but with the heart that chooses compassion.”
📌 Notice
The National Treasure number indicates the order of designation, not a ranking of value.
For more information, please visit the 👉National Heritage Portal