596 henrik h. sørensen
the Tang, it is uncertain to what extent the teachings they inherited
from their Chinese masters ever became current in Silla. In any case,
their activities would seem to have had more impact in China than in
their native country, as next to no evidence can be found in the con-
temporary Korean sources. To the extent that the surviving scriptures
written by Esoteric Buddhist monks from the Silla had an impact on
Buddhism in their own country, it is not unlikely that this first took
place under the Koryŏ after the first printed Tripitakạ was imported
from Song China.
In addition to the minor deities adorning the foundations of pagodas
and stūpas, Esoteric Buddhist elements in the Buddhist art of Unified
Silla are meager. However, while crowned buddhas are not known,
images of buddhas with their hands held in the vajramusṭ̣ī-mudrā are
fairly common from the early ninth century onwards. Interestingly,
most of the extant examples are associated with temples of Sŏn Bud-
dhism, which may be seen as an indication that Sŏn monks journey-
ing to Tang China were exposed to Esoteric Buddhist teachings and
practices.