Recently, the Archaeology Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences has excavated Maaebul, a valuable historic site of Koryo period, at Chongjong-ri, Unjon County, North Phyongan Province.

   Maaebul refers to the Buddhist figure, an iconic image of worship that was embossed or engraved on cliff or rock.

   A Buddha is engraved on the southern side of a rock rising on the mid-slope of Kujol Valley in Mt Mogu that is 4km away to the northeast from the Chongjong-ri village.

   The upper part of its head is finished straight and smooth, while its round face gives a solemn look together with roundish and thin eyebrows, slightly slanted open eyes, broad and flat nose and small mouth.

   Its ears, engraved big and longish, hang down to the upper part of the shoulders and reach a length of 62cm.

   As for its gesture, the right hand is lifted up, while thumb and middle finger of each hand touches each other.

   It sits cross-legged, and the right foot on top of the left leg is so well depicted that each toe can be seen in details and looks real.

   The longish rock that the Buddha is carved on is about 5m high, the Buddha is about 4.7m high and the stand of the Buddha is about 4.2m wide.

   The Buddha’s gesture suggests that it is Amitabha.

   This Maaebul (Buddha engraved on the rock) recently discovered at Chongjong-ri draws special attention, for this kind of Buddha was unknown in North Phyongan Province.

   Previously, small metal images of Buddha have been found in Sinuiju and Jongju Cities and Kwaksan County, and it is the first time to discover a large-size Maaebul like the one at Chongjong-ri.

   As one of the national heritage that is permeated with the intelligence and talents of our ancestors, the Maaebul newly discovered at Chongjong-ri, Unjon County further inspires the national pride and self-confidence into our people.