Mural Painting in Geungnakjeon Hall of Muwisa Temple, Gangjin (Amitabha Buddha Triad)

A mural of the Amitabha triad painted on the front of the wall behind the altar in Geungnakbojeon Hall. A seated Amitabha is at the centre, with Avalokitesvara standing on the left and Ksitigarbha on the right. At the very top, against clouds, are six arhats, three on each side, with two small Buddhas above each group. This mural of Amitabha's assembly in paradise closely resembles the Amitabha triad of statues enshrined before it. The principal Buddha sits cross-legged on a fairly tall lotus pedestal, wearing a robe over both shoulders, with a mandorla shaped like a winnowing basket behind. Avalokitesvara, on the left, has hair falling onto the shoulders and wears a thin, transparent outer robe; Ksitigarbha, on the right, holds a staff in the right hand and a jewel in the left. The colours are mainly green and red. Thought to have been painted in 1476, the seventh year of King Seongjong, by the painter and great Seon master Haeryeon, it keeps characteristic Goryeo elements such as its gentle colour and the rendering of the body, while showing the new features of early Joseon Buddhist painting such as plain patterns and other figures the same size as the principal Buddha, which makes it an important source for the study of early Joseon Buddhist painting in the Goryeo manner.

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Visiting

Information

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Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Gangjin, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

National Treasure · 국보