Koreans had been introduced to Buddhism from China at least as far back as the fifth century. But it was during the height of Silla rule in Korea in the sixth century, that Buddhism gained real ground in Korea as a popular religion. With the rise of the Goryeo kingdom, Buddhism became the official state religion of the united peninsula. It was during this time that Chinese Chan Buddhism (called Seon in Korea and Zen in Japan) reached Korea and became the dominant form of Buddhism on the peninsula. This statue of the Buddha, called the Great Unification Buddha, sits at the foot of Seoraksan (one of Korea’s tallest mountains). It is a testament to the lasting influence of Buddhism in Korea.