Hanging Painting of Bukjangsa Temple (The Vulture Peak Assembly)

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. This painting is a Yeongsanhoesangdo, a type frequently depicted in gwaebultaeng, showing the scene of Sakyamuni preaching. Painted in the 14th year of King Sukjong (1688) by the monk-painter Hakneung and others, this gwaebul measures 1,330 by 811.6 cm overall, with a painted area of 1,240 by 784.6 cm. According to a traditional legend, one day a monk from Tang China arrived and said he would paint the gwaebul, asking that no one be allowed to enter for three days. A curious monk peeked in and saw a blue bird holding a brush in its beak, painting the picture. On realising it had been seen, the blue bird vanished, and when the painting was examined closely, the shoulder area was found to be unfinished. The main image, Sakyamuni Buddha, stands at the centre surrounded by various bodhisattvas; although Sakyamuni's facial expression appears somewhat stiff, the round face, harmonious features and balanced body with rounded shoulder lines give an overall impression of softness and gentleness. The painting is mainly in red and green, with intermediate tones and gold patterns lending the picture a light and splendid effect. With its dense, meticulous brushwork clearly rendering the body, and its bright, vivid colours setting off varied floral patterns, this gwaebul is an outstanding work of the late 17th century. It is also valuable as a comparative reference among gwaebultaeng for the harmony of its depiction of each part of the body and its bright, vivid colouring.

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Where it is

Region

Sangju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물