This massive statue is the largest iron Buddha ever found in Korea. The Buddha’s robe covers only the left shoulder and the right hand is resting on the leg, pointing downward. Notably, this form is identical to that of the main Buddha at Seokguram Grotto, the masterpiece of Silla Buddhist sculpture, indicating that the characteristics of Buddhist sculpture from the Unified Silla period (668-935) were carried over into the Goryeo period. Although the right hand seems to be casually placed on the leg, the gesture actually represents a subtle form of the “earth-touching” mudra, symbolizing the moment when the Buddha summoned the earth goddess to bear witness to his attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
"