Quick Facts
- Formerly spelled:
- Sŏkkuram
- Date:
- 701 - 800
- Related Topics:
- sculpture
- Related Places:
- South Korea
- Kyŏngju
- North Gyeongsang
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Seokguram
cave temple, South Korea
Also known as: Sŏkkuram
Seokguram, Buddhist artificial cave-temple on the crest of Mount Toham, near the Bulguk Temple, Gyeongju, South Korea. Built in the 8th century, Seokguram is a domed circular structure of granite blocks. A square anteroom houses eight guardian figures in relief. On an elevated lotus pedestal a large statue of the Buddha Gotama (or Amitābha, according to some) seated, about 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) high, carved out of a single block of granite, occupies the center of the main chamber. On the surrounding walls are 15 slabs in relief depicting bodhisattvas and 10 disciples in attendance. The sculpture of this cave temple is one of the finest achievements of Buddhist art in the East.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Ethan Teekah.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.