Portable Shrine of Gilt-bronze Buddhas at Cheoneunsa Temple, Gurye

A space carved from wood, stone or metal to enshrine a Buddha statue, built on a smaller scale than an ordinary building, is called a bulgam, or portable shrine. A bulgam preserves not only the style of the Buddha image enshrined within it but also valuable evidence of the architectural style of its period. This example is a gilt-bronze portable shrine 43.3 cm in height, its entire front formed of hinged doors that open only for worship or ritual, so that the interior can be seen only on those occasions. On the inner faces of the two doors, one relief figure of a sword-bearing Vajra guardian is carved on each side, rendered with skill and vitality. On the front wall a Vairocana Triad is carved in relief at the centre, surrounded by the Ten Great Disciples. The Vairocana Buddha sits on a typical octagonal lotus-petal pedestal, its hands held before the chest with the index finger of the left hand wrapped by the right hand, the mudra generally shown by Vairocana images of the period. The face and body are elegant and the pedestal relatively finely worked, showing carving of a high standard. The side walls are richly carved with floral patterns and the ceiling, too, is finely carved with various designs, together expressing a splendid and solemn world of the Buddha. When the front doors are opened, two further gilt-bronze Buddha statues are seen enshrined to either side, seated on pedestals composed only of upward- and downward-facing lotus petals, a type typical of the late Goryeo to early Joseon period, and carved in the same technique. Their faces and bodies are elegant, though somewhat stiffly rendered. The relief figures on the walls show comparatively supple treatment of facial features and drapery folds, and their floral ornament is splendid, while the vigorous, lively rendering of the Vajra guardians shows this to be an outstanding work. It is popularly known as a wonbul, a personal devotional Buddha image made to fulfil a vow, of the monk Naong. An inscription on the back of the shrine, adding further interest, records that the Buddha statues were made by the monk Sinseung, the shrine itself by Kim Chi, Bak Eosan and others, that it was donated by a Mr and Mrs Park, and that four monks including Sineum took part. This portable shrine is highly significant iconographically, fusing the iconography of the Three Bodies of the Buddha with that of the Buddhas of the Three Ages, and it is also a precious work conveying the sculpture, painting, metalwork, architectural style and ornament of the late Goryeo to early Joseon period, in recognition of which it was elevated from a Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage to a treasure in March 2008.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gurye, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물