Gilt-bronze Maitreya in Meditation, Bronze Buddhist statue at National Museum of Korea, South Korea

The Gilt-bronze Maitreya in Meditation is 83.2 cm tall, cast from bronze less than one centimeter thick and gilded, probably in the middle or late 6th century. The figure sits semi-seated on a stool, right leg crossed over the left, right elbow on the knee and fingers touching the cheek. It wears a three-part crown topped with a crescent moon and round sun, and a scarf-like vestment with wing-like projections; only traces of a halo remain.

This sculpture was created during the Silla period in the 6th century when advanced bronze casting techniques were developing in the Korean peninsula. The work received National Treasure status in 1962, marking its official recognition as a significant example of early Korean artistic achievement.

The figure is also called the 'sun-and-moon-diadem three-mountain crown meditating image' because its three-part crown carries a crescent moon and a round sun. This diadem type derives from Sasanian Iranian royal crowns and also appears in China and Japan. Korean tradition linked such images to the Hwarang, a youth elite group, and to Maitreya faith.

Since 12 November 2021 the statue has been shown in the Room of Contemplation on the second floor of the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, together with National Treasure No. 83, the two alternating on view. The room is indoors and climate-controlled; look for the crescent moon and round sun on the crown and the openwork decoration on the chair.

The statue once had a halo, of which only traces remain. An X-ray analysis in 1963 found no defect or repair inside or out, and concluded it was made of a rare material using unique techniques. The bronze is under one centimetre thick, in places as thin as 2 mm.