▲ This photo of South Korea's treasure “Hanging Painting of the Yeongsan Assembly at Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong” is provided by Sungbo Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, April 7 (Yonhap) -- A towering Buddhist painting depicting the Buddha and his followers will go on display at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, offering a rare glimpse into large-scale ritual art from the Joseon era.

 

Stretching 8.2 meters in height, the painting portrays Sakyamuni Buddha surrounded by bodhisattvas and disciples in a scene known as the “Yeongsan Assembly,” which illustrates the Buddha delivering his teachings.

 

Renowned monk-painters of the time vividly rendered the Buddha’s face and added a gold-leaf swastika symbol on his chest, enhancing the sacred presence of the figure.

 

The artwork, made by connecting 16 panels of silk horizontally, was traditionally hung in the courtyard in front of the main hall of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, during special occasions such as Buddha’s Birthday or outdoor rituals.

 

The treasured painting will be showcased starting Monday in the Buddhist painting gallery of the museum’s calligraphy and painting wing under the exhibition titled “The Buddha Leading to Enlightenment: The Hanging Painting of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong.”

 

“Hanging paintings,” known as gwaebul, refer to large-scale Buddhist paintings used in outdoor ceremonies. They are typically stored in wooden cases inside temple buildings and displayed only on special occasions, often measuring up to 10 meters in height.

 

The “Hanging Painting of the Yeongsan Assembly at Bongjeongsa Temple,” created in 1710, measures 821.6 centimeters in height and 620.1 centimeters in width.

 

Centered on the Buddha, the composition symmetrically arranges eight bodhisattvas and 10 disciples. The use of traditional shading techniques brings a vivid sense of movement to the figures.

 

The gold swastika motif on the Buddha’s chest is another distinctive feature. “It serves to maximize the solemnity of the painting and is a unique element found only in the Bongjeongsa work,” a museum official said.

 

The painting is also considered an important artifact for studying Buddhist art of the period.

 

According to inscriptions at the bottom, seven monk-painters — including Domun, Seoljam, Seungsun, Gyesun, Haeyeong, Jongyeol and Seongeun — participated in its creation.

 

Some of them, including Domun, are known to have worked on major Buddhist paintings such as the “Thousand Buddha Painting at Yongmunsa Temple in Yecheon,” suggesting the existence of an active group of monk-artists in northern North Gyeongsang Province from the late 17th to early 18th centuries.

 

“Bongjeongsa’s hanging painting is regarded as Domun’s last known work and a representative piece that encapsulates his artistic style and capabilities,” the official said.

 

The painting also reflects broad public participation in Buddhist practices of the time.

 

A total of 166 names are recorded in the inscription, including female donor Myojeong of Myeongwol Sadang, indicating that people from various backgrounds contributed to the creation of the artwork.

 

“This piece holds great significance for research on Buddhist history and art,” the museum said. “We hope visitors will share in the teachings of the Buddha through this special experience.”

 

The exhibition runs through June 21.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]