It was very cold when I arrived at Gyeongju city. The cold weather was likely the last puch of the winter season. As soon as arriving at Gyeongju city, I headed for the national museum.
As I wrote in previous posting, Gyeongju city had been the capital of Shilla dynasty for more than 1000 years. But the appearance of Gyeongju city looked like just a small city except the tombs which were scattered here and there.
The entrance fee of the national museum was free. Free is always good. As entering into the museum, I could see lots of stone statues on the ground of the museum.
I’d like to post on the statues which were displayed on the ground of the museum
Almost of statues were related to Buddhism. While looking at these statues, I could think once more the meaning of Buddhism in this age.
Many statues were found in pieces scattered under the ground. The museum collected those scattered pieces, so unfortunately we don’t know the origins and the history of those statues.
There were 3 kinds of statues on the ground.
The first was towers having perfect appearance. They have perfect appearance, but nobody knows it’s exact history. The museum located the towers on the small hill. The towers very well suited the pines and the hills.
In the other side, there were the pieces of towers and monuments. It seemed that they were found in scattered pieces.
There were Buddha statues near the hill. The Buddha statues were also found in scattered here and there.
one of the statue was found in perfect condition
In some case, they could find only the head of the statue.
The statue of Buddha of Shilla dynasty seemed to be influenced by Gandara Style of India.
Especially at the early age of Shilla dynasty, the style of statue was similar to that of Gandara style
In fact Gandara was a starting point of Buddhist art, but unfortunately almost of relics of Buddhism were destroyed by Taliban.
Anyway It is marvelous for me that Gandara and Shilla had the common cultural connection.
Thank You for reading