Bulhwa of Bongnyeongsa Temple (Guardian Deities Painting . Hyeonwang Painting Hwa)

The Buddhist paintings of Bongnyeongsa Temple, Suwon — a Guardian Deities Painting (Sinjung taenghwa) and a Hyeonwang Painting — are enshrined in Yaksajeon Hall, the temple's main worship hall, with the Guardian Deities Painting hung on the right-hand wall and the Hyeonwang Painting on the left. In the upper section of the Guardian Deities Painting, Indra and Brahma lead a host of heavenly beings, while the lower section is centred on Skanda, surrounded by the Eight Legions of Guardians, the Dragon King, and vajra guardian figures — a composition typical of nineteenth-century Guardian Deities paintings. The inscription records that in February 1891 a Guardian Deities Painting was enshrined at Bongnyeongsa Temple on Gwanggyosan Mountain in Suwon-bu, painted by the monk-painters Hyeonjo and Sujo. Red is used as the dominant colour alongside a vivid blue, creating a strong contrast between the two. The ritual implements and costumes are decorated with gold foil for added splendour; depicting ritual implements in gold foil is a feature commonly seen in Buddhist paintings from the Seoul and Gyeonggi-do region from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century. Overall, the composition leaves no empty space, and its bold primary colours and gold-foil decoration reflect the characteristics of Buddhist painting of the late Joseon period. The Hyeonwang Painting depicts, on a silk ground, the King of the Afterlife (Hyeonwang) at the centre together with judges, hell messengers and child attendants; it was painted in 1878 by Wanseon. Hyeonwang refers to Bohyeonwang Yeorae, the future Buddha-form of King Yeomna (Yama), who has received a prophecy that he will attain Buddhahood in a future life. In the Joseon period it came to be believed that the deceased were judged by Hyeonwang three days after death, and as the Hyeonwang memorial rite accordingly became widely practised, paintings of Hyeonwang began to be produced.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Suwon, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산