Wooden Ksitigarbha Triad and Ten Kings Statues (set) of Chiljangsa Temple, Anseong

The myeongbujeon, the hall where Yeomna-daewang (King Yama) and nine other judges pass judgement on the dead, is also called the Siwangjeon (Hall of the Ten Kings). A hall enshrining Ksitigarbha (Jijang Bosal) and the Ten Kings together is a distinctive type of temple building found only in Korea. Jijangjeon Hall at Chiljangsa Temple centres on a wooden statue of Ksitigarbha, flanked by five statues of the Ten Kings on either side, ten in all. The statue of Ksitigarbha, shown seated with the shaven head of a monk, is attended on either side by Domyeong-jonja, depicted as a young monk, and Mudok-gwiwang, described as the king of ghosts. The Ten Kings sit neatly on chairs, dressed as civil officials with collars decorated with elaborate flower patterns and wearing hats; the figure whose hat bears a book is the fifth king, Yeomna-daewang (King Yama). Standing among them are panguan, judges who assist the Ten Kings and are shown holding tablets; noksa, clerks who record or read out the Ten Kings' verdicts and are shown holding scrolls; and sija, messengers of death. The messenger of death is dressed as a military officer, standing boldly with legs apart and holding a banner. Just inside the doors on either side stand the Geumgang-yeoksa (Vajra guardian statues, also called Inwang), placed as the temple's gatekeepers in a menacing pose, brandishing large swords. An inscription on the lotus pedestal of the Ksitigarbha statue, together with a balwonmun (a votive text recording wishes and prayers) found inside the statues of the Ten Kings, shows that the statues were made between 25 February and 27 May 1713.

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Where it is

Region

Anseong, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산