Sutra Plaques of Songgwangsa Temple, Suncheon

Sutra plaques were originally tags recording the title of a sutra, attached to the wooden chest in which the sutra was kept. A total of forty-three sutra plaques have been handed down at Songgwangsa Temple: ten made of ivory and thirty-three of wood. On the front, a cartouche is formed on the surface, engraved with the title and number of the sutra. The edges are decorated with various patterns, such as scrolling vine motifs and crane motifs. On the reverse, within a rectangular frame, are relief carvings of bodhisattvas, arhats, guardian deities and similar figures; above the figures are sometimes carved curtains or lattice windows, and below them are depicted lotus pedestals, balustrades and similar motifs. Beneath the rectangular frames containing these figures, hamho (case numbers) such as jeong (貞), ju (周), jin (晉) and ha (何) are inscribed within motifs shaped like lotus flowers or houses. On the sides, about one centimetre thick, circular patterns are engraved, three of which are pierced through in openwork. Judging from the carving technique, the plaques are thought to be works of the Goryeo period, and the refinement of their carving and technique is of a very high order.

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Where it is

Region

Suncheon, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물