Bongeunsa

The statues in Bongeunsa share the same stylistic features as the other statues from the 18th century. Only, they are distinguished by the fact that they are made of wood and that they are smaller in size than others even though they are standing statues. Also, they show humorous and friendly looks instead of the frightening expressions like the Four Heavenly King statues. Recently, a written statement of vows and on the production of the statues, and other relics were retrieved from inside the statues. The written document says the state artists like Yeochan, Sinchal, Seonghyeon, Jeongil, Haeun, and Minhwi produced the statues in 1746.

The wooden statues of the Four Heavenly Kings used to be enshrined inside Cheonwangmun Gate in Bongeunsa Temple. Now, they are enshrined inside Jinyeomun Gate. The Four Heavenly Kings are known as the deities who reside on the mid-slope of Sumisan (Mt.), and guard the four directions and the Dharma. The Four Heavenly Kings are portrayed as armed warriors. They are Vaisravana, guardian of the North holding a lute, Dhrtarastra, guardian of the East holding a sword, Virupaksa, guardian of the West holding a banner, and Virudhaka, guardian of the South holding a naga.

The upper bodies are relatively short but robust, and the knees are broad and high, showing power in simple images. These kinds of features were prevalent in statues made around 1650, and the style is characteristic of the works by Sculptor Monk Seungil and others. Master Monk Gakseong, who was one of the leading priests in Korean Buddhism at that time, participated in the production of these statues.Also, Sculptor Monk Seungil and his followers who were active in Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do devoted all their energy to the production of these statues. The Wooden Statue of Sakyamuni Trinity is representative of Buddhist sculptures from the mid-17th century.

These statues are enshrined on the altar in Daeungjeon Hall of Bongeunsa Temple.They are Sakyamuni, Bhaisajyaguru, and Amitabha Buddhas, all made of wood.The records say that they were made in 1651 as the Sakyamuni Trinity for Daeungjeon Hall of Bongeunsa. The Gaegeumgi (Document of Gild Work) also tells us that the Sakyamuni statue in the center was damaged in fire in 1689 and was repaired afterwards. Gaegeumgi from 1765 makes it clear that the statues are the Sakyamuni Trinity. It has thus put an end to the controversy and confirmed that the Sakyamuni, Bhaisajyaguru, and Amitabha statues enshrined in Daeungjeon Hall were the Sakyamuni Trinity. These statues look full of strength with their broad, flat, yet voluminous faces.

Four pieces of paintings of the Guardian Deities, Three Tathagatas, Three Bodhisattvas, and Amita-raja are enshrined in Daeungjeon Hall. The Painting of the Guardian Deities was done in 1844 with the patronage of court ladies. The painting comprises Brahma and Indra, Ilgungcheonja (God of the Sun) and Wolgungcheonja (God of the Moon), and heavenly beings playing various musical instruments, such as the lute, mouth organ, bamboo flute, reed recorder, and hourglass drums. The painting also comprises deities that guard the Dharma, heavenly beings and children carrying an incense burner and banners, Skanda, the Eight-fold Congregation of the Guardian Deities, the Mountain God, Jowangsin (the Kitchen God), and Naga. The Paintings of Three Tathagatas, Three Bodhisattvas and Amrta-raja were produced in 1892 with donations by Min Duho, one of the civil officials from the late Joseon period, and court ladies. The Painting of Three Tathagatas comprises of Sakyamuni (center), Bhaisajyaguru (right), and Amitabha (left and their company, symbolizing that Dharma is everlasting in time and space. Below Sakyamuni are disciples, such as Mahakasyapa (right) and Ananda (left, and behind Bhaisajyaguru and Amitabha are Nagaraja and Queen Naga, respectively. Three Bodhisattva refers to the Heaven Store Bodhisattva (center) who is the host of the Heavenly realm, Earth Store Bodhisattva (right), host of the Earthly realm, and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (left), host of the Underground realm. Surrounding the Heaven Store Bodhisattva are Jinju Bodhisattva and others. Beside the Earth Store Bodhisattva are Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, Dharani Bodhisattva and company, and beside Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is his company. The painting of Amrta-raja is used during a ceremony to lead the lonesome spirits to Paradise. In the upper part of the painting, Illowang bosal (Leading King Bodhisattva), Chiryeorae (Seven Buddhas), Amitabha Triad, Earth Store Bodhisattva, and Guanyin.

These statues are enshrined on the altar in Daeungjeon Hall of Bongeunsa Temple.They are Sakyamuni, Bhaisajyaguru, and Amitabha Buddhas, all made of wood.The records say that they were made in 1651 as the Sakyamuni Trinity for Daeungjeon Hall of Bongeunsa. The Gaegeumgi (Document of Gild Work) also tells us that the Sakyamuni statue in the center was damaged in fire in 1689 and was repaired afterwards. Gaegeumgi from 1765 makes it clear that the statues are the Sakyamuni Trinity. It has thus put an end to the controversy and confirmed that the Sakyamuni, Bhaisajyaguru, and Amitabha statues enshrined in Daeungjeon Hall were the Sakyamuni Trinity. These statues look full of strength with their broad, flat, yet voluminous faces. The upper bodies are relatively short but robust, and the knees are broad and high, showing power in simple images. These kinds of features were prevalent in statues made around 1650, and the style is characteristic of the works by Sculptor Monk Seungil and others. Master Monk Gakseong, who was one of the leading priests in Korean Buddhism at that time, participated in the production of these statues.Also, Sculptor Monk Seungil and his followers who were active in Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do devoted all their energy to the production of these statues. The Wooden Statue of Sakyamuni Trinity is representative of Buddhist sculptures from the mid-17th century.