Daejeokgwangjeon Hall Wooden Vairocana Buddha Triad of Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon

This Buddha triad is enshrined in Daejeokgwangjeon Hall of Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, founded during the reign of King Aejang of Silla. Vairocana Buddha is the 'Buddha of Light', whose radiance illuminates all things without limit, and who embodies universal truth. The hall enshrining Vairocana Buddha is called Daejeokgwangjeon Hall or Daegwangmyeongjeon Hall, and is also known as Birojeon Hall, after the Buddha's name. The Wooden Vairocana Buddha Triad in Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was originally enshrined at Beopsusa Temple in Seongju, but when that temple fell into ruin during the Japanese invasions of 1592–1598, the statues were moved to Yonggisa Temple on Gayasan Mountain. When Yonggisa Temple in turn fell into ruin, the monk Beomun of Hwagyesa Temple in Seoul brought the statues to Haeinsa Temple in 1897, the first year of Emperor Gojong, where they were enshrined in Daejeokgwangjeon Hall. The main Buddha has small snail-shell curls of hair attached to the head, with a crescent-moon shape rendered above the forehead. The robe is draped over both shoulders, its folds tucked in at the widely open chest, and wave-like drapery folds are carved on both legs. The hands are held in the gesture typical of Vairocana Buddha, the right hand wrapping around the left index finger. To the main Buddha's left stands Manjusri Bodhisattva, symbolising wisdom, and to the right stands Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, symbolising compassion put into practice. Dignified and serene yet imbued with majesty, the triad appears to be a work of the early Joseon period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hapcheon, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산