Wooden Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Excavated Relics of Bogwangsa Temple, Andong

The wooden seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Bogwangsa Temple clearly reveals one facet of the refined Buddhist culture of Goryeo: a crown both intricate and resplendent, a face that is exotic yet elegant and aristocratic, a body of composed, dignified and well-balanced proportions, drapery folds that are simple yet full of tension, and yeongnak (jewelled pendant) ornamentation elaborately worked over the entire body of the statue. No votive text recording its making survives, but comparison with extant works suggests the bodhisattva statue was made in the first half of the 13th century; since almost no bodhisattva statues from this period survive today, its value as source material is very high. A total of 194 items across ten categories of excavated relics (bokjang, sacred objects placed inside a Buddhist statue) were found together with the wooden seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Bogwangsa Temple, Andong. Among the printed scriptures recovered, the Sutra of the Dharani of the Precious Casket Seal and the Collection of Dharani in Sanskrit Script both appear to have been printed in the first half of the 13th century, the same period as the statue's making; the former is notable as an important source for examining the original form of the woodblocks first published at Chongjisa Temple in 1007. The latter bears a colophon recording that it was proofread and republished in 1150 by the Seon master Sawon at Gwangjepo in Pyeongyang, making it valuable material for bibliographic studies and research on Esoteric Buddhist thought and dharani; its paper and woodblock-carving technique also illustrate the characteristics of Goryeo printing culture. The sutras among the relics are mostly Goryeo-period printings and are likewise valuable. Among the excavated relics, the jeogori (a traditional short jacket) is a rare surviving example of Goryeo-period dress and is important material for research on the history of Korean clothing and textiles.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Andong, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물