Hanging Painting of Gaesimsa Temple (The Vulture Peak Assembly)

This is a Yeongsanhoe gwaebultaeng depicting Sakyamuni Buddha preaching on Vulture Peak; a gwaebultaeng is a large Buddhist painting hung in the courtyard in front of the main hall for major dharma assemblies or rituals at a temple, before which worshippers bow. Filling the entire picture, Sakyamuni Buddha stands at the centre wearing robes draped to leave the right shoulder bare (ugyeonpyeondan), with a round face, heavy shoulders, unusually long and thick arms and a short lower body that appear unrealistic. The robe is densely decorated with rounded, stylised scroll patterns, and the halo behind Sakyamuni is carved with peony stems and lotus patterns. Around Sakyamuni's head sit seven transformation buddhas arranged in a circle, and to either side sit two attendant buddhas, Vairocana Buddha and Rocana Buddha, flanking Sakyamuni. Around Sakyamuni's torso sit eight further transformation buddhas to left and right, and near the very bottom stand Indra and Brahma with hands joined, facing Sakyamuni. Painted in the 48th year of King Yeongjo of Joseon (1772), this painting was made to pray for the long life of the king, the queen and the crown prince. It is painted mainly in red and green, and its beautiful, intricate patterns create a very splendid atmosphere. The unrealistic body proportions and elaborate patterns allow the features of the late 18th century to be observed in this work.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Seosan, Chungnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물