In Meditation

Pensive Bodhisattvas
Three kingdoms Period, 7th century
Housed at the National Museum of Korea

금동미륵보살반가사유상 金銅彌勒菩薩半跏思惟像 금동반가사유상 金銅半跏思惟像

The Gilt-bronze Maitreyas in Meditation are gilt-bronze statues of what is believed to be the Maitreya 미륵보살 / 미륵불, the future Buddha 미래불, in a semi-seated contemplative pose. 

They are commonly referred to as the Contemplative Bodhisattvas, Pensive Bodhisattvas, or Gilt-Bronze Seated Maitreyas in English. They are desiginated as the National Treasures of Korea No. 78 (left) and No. 83 (right) respectively.

The statues is believed to have been made in the early 7th century during the Three Kingdoms period. But which kingdom of the three kingdoms made this statue is a matter of sharp debate, especially between Silla and Baekje.

The statues are widely acknowledged to be one of the finest Buddhist sculptures ever produced and are masterpieces of Korean art. They are now housed at the National Museum of Korea.

The two Maitreyas are being cross-exhibited every six months. The two Buddhas are rarely exhibited at the same time.