Beopjusa Temple Bokcheonam Hermitage Buddhas of the Three Ages Painting, Boeun

According to the temple's historical record, Bokcheonam Hermitage was founded in 720, the 19th year of King Seongdeok of Silla, and was subsequently renovated during the Goryeo period: by State Preceptor (guksa) Jeungtong in 918, the first year of King Taejo of Goryeo; by the monk Dosaeng Seungtong in 1084, the first year of King Seonjong; and by State Preceptor (gukjon) Jajeong in 1107, the second year of King Yejong. In the Joseon period it is said to have been renovated by the monk Sinmi in 1449, the 31st year of King Sejong; rebuilt by the monk Takyung after the hermitage burned down in 1735, the 11th year of King Yeongjo; and renovated again by the monk Chwijun in 1803, the third year of King Sunjo. The painting behind the main altar in Geungnakbojeon Hall at Bokcheonam Hermitage was made in 1909 (the third year of the Yunghui era). Measuring 389 cm in height by 286 cm in width, it depicts the Buddhas Shakyamuni, Bhaisajyaguru (the Medicine Buddha) and Amitabha together in a single composition, and is commonly known as a Buddhas of the Three Ages painting (samsebuldo). The composition centres on the three Buddhas: in the lower register each is flanked by two attendant bodhisattvas, with two of the Four Heavenly Kings also appearing there, while the upper register likewise contains two Heavenly Kings together with eight disciple figures. The palette is dominated by red and green, with some indigo blue also applied, and a few other colours used besides; overall, however, the colour scheme is comparatively plain next to 18th-century work, and, as is common in most Buddhist paintings of this period, the green pigment is uneven owing to flaws in the paint. The painting is in relatively good condition, though there are stains on the head and body halos of the Amitabha Buddha at the top of the composition, along with similar marks in a few other places. A distinctive feature of this painting lies in the arrangement of its iconography. Centred on Shakyamuni, the Medicine Buddha and Amitabha are depicted to either side, set back behind him and rendered smaller in scale — creating a painterly sense of three-dimensionality on a flat surface that reflects the introduction of Western pictorial technique into modern Buddhist painting. The placement of the attendant bodhisattvas also departs from convention: instead of Manjushri and Samantabhadra, who would normally flank Shakyamuni, it is Avalokiteshvara and Mahasthamaprapta — usually associated with Amitabha — who appear here as his attendants. This is thought to reflect an adaptation of the standard iconographic scheme guided less by scriptural precedent than by the name of the hall itself (Geungnakbojeon, "Hall of Ultimate Bliss") or by popular devotional practice. The painting hangs behind the Amitabha Buddha within Geungnakbojeon Hall. According to its dedicatory inscription, it was produced on the eighth day of the fifth month of 1909 by a group of painter-monks including Geumeo, Geumho and Yakhyo, centred on the three Buddhas — Shakyamuni, Amitabha and the Medicine Buddha — with the Eight Great Bodhisattvas below, disciples and retinue above, and the Four Heavenly Kings at the four sides; red and blue are the dominant colours overall, with ochre, green and white as accents. The painter-monk Yakhyo produced many Buddhas of the Three Ages paintings in the Chungcheong-do region in the late 19th century; this work is notable for its detailed depiction of the figures and for well expressing the characteristics of its period, with a clear date of production, accomplished execution, and good preservation.

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Where it is

Region

Boeun, Chungbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산