/ Culture - Life
Jade Statue of Buddha Donated
  A jade statue of Buddha was unearthed for the first time in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It is 10.8 centimetres high and 425 grams heavy.
 
 

  Doctor Jang Chol Man, Researcher of the Archaeological Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences, says:
  "This jade statue of Buddha can be judged to have been made in the first half of the Koryo Dynasty which existed between 918 and 1392. Three tiers of octagonal stands, the proportion of dignified and harmonious body of Buddha and the halo with lotus patterns can be found in other statues of Buddha belonging to the first half of the Koryo Dynasty."
  The jade statue of Buddha is valuable as it was made of nephrite. It is of greater value as it is a formative art work showing the wisdom and talents of the Korean ancestors who cut the fairly hard jade very delicately.
  It was donated by Kim Won Chol, a worker of the Central Heating Construction Company.
  Like all other Korean people, he received the 11-year free compulsory education under the benefits of the socialist system and came to work in the construction sector according to his ability. Now he has two sons.
  He was always concerned about the growth of his children.
  He led them to study hard, behave with decorum and do good things before others.
  He took them to major construction sites in the capital city and gave material and labour assistance to the builders. When Samjiyon City was under construction in the far-off northern part of the country, he sent aid materials prepared by his family with sincerity.
  Certificates of assistance increased one by one in his family. They became the wealth of his family and a pride of his children.
  Kim Won Chol says:
  "Now my eldest son is a university student and the youngest son is serving in the army.
  I failed when they were little, but as they grew up, I thought I should do something for their edification. So I donated the jade statue of Buddha. I was very happy to hear that it is a precious cultural heritage, the first of its kind in our country."
  He donated the jade statue of Buddha out of pure patriotism, without expecting any reward or appreciation.
  Such patriotic deeds add lustre to the long history and resplendent culture of the nation.


   
  Kim Won Chol has this to say:
  "In the future, too, I will do good things helpful to the country and educate my sons to do so."
  His wife Kim Kyong Hui says:
  "I will bring up my sons as good and honest persons who think of the country first."
  The jade statue of Buddha donated by Kim Won Chol is on display at the Koryo Museum.