Painting of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

This Painting of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva depicts Ksitigarbha, the bodhisattva said to lead beings suffering the torments of hell into the Pure Land. Paintings of Ksitigarbha generally show guardian deities or judges who stand watch at the gates of hell, and this painting likewise places Ksitigarbha as the central image, with such figures arranged symmetrically, four to each side. The eight attendant figures are smaller than the central image and arranged in the lower register, showing the two-tiered composition typical of Goryeo-period Buddhist paintings. Between the Four Heavenly Kings shown beneath the central image are two bodhisattvas, the guardian deities Śakra (Jeseok) and Brahma (Beomcheon), who continued to be depicted in bodhisattva form even into the Joseon period. Ksitigarbha wears a hood on his head, raises his right hand to shoulder height holding a translucent cintamani (wish-fulfilling jewel), and wears an ornamented necklace at the centre of his chest together with sumptuous robes. All the figures have round head halos, and Ksitigarbha is distinctive in showing, behind this head halo, a further large circular halo, forming a double halo. Compared with other Goryeo Buddhist paintings this work gives a slightly heavier impression, but its soft, delicate brushwork and refined colouring display the outstanding technique of Goryeo Buddhist painting.

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Where it is

Region

Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물