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경주 석굴암 석굴(慶州 石窟庵 石窟)_국보 제24호 Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju National Treasure No. 24

Seokguram Grotto was constructed by Kim Dae-seong 700-774, a prime minister of the Silla kingdom

between 751 (the 10th year of King Gyeongdeok’s reign) and 774 (the 10th year of King Hyegong’s reign) during the Unified Silla period. It was formerly known as Seokbulsa, meaning “Temple of the Stone Buddha.”

Located on the slope of Tohamsan Mountain, this artificial grotto was constructed of stacked granite stones. Inside the grotto, there is a seated statue of Sakyamuni Buddha at the center and a total of 38 images carved in relief on the wall, including bodhisattvas, the Buddha’s ten principal disciples, vajrapani (vajra warriors), and sacheonwang (four Heavenly Kings). There are also two empty niches, suggesting that there were originally 40 images enshrined in this grotto.

The grotto consists of a main rotunda chamber and square entrance chamber that are connected by a short corridor. The architectural technique used to create the domed ceiling of the main chamber, in which large cut stones were fastened together with stone nails, is regarded as a creative design that is unprecedented across the globe. In addition, the sculptures in the chamber, produced at the zenith of Silla Buddhist art, are considered some of the most renowned masterpieces of Korean Buddhist art, with their transcendental mysticality and realistic liveliness. In recognition of these historical and artistic values, Seokguram Grotto was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1995 together with Bulguksa Temple.

경주 불국사 다보탑(慶州 佛國寺 多寶塔)_국보 제20호 경주 불국사 삼층석탑(慶州 佛國寺 三層石塔)_국보 제21호 Dabotap Pagoda of Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju National Treasure No. 20 Three-story Stone Pagoda of Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju National Treasure No. 21

Bulguksa Temple was founded in 751 (the 10th year of King Gyeongdeok’s reign) during the Unified Silla period by Kim Dae-seong 700-774, a prime minister of the Silla kingdom

in honor of his parents. In the courtyard of temple’s main worship hall daeungjeon (Great Hero Hall) is a pair of stone pagodas, known as Dabotap and Seokgatap. Dabotap symbolizes Prabhutaratna, the Buddha of the Past, while Seokgatap symbolizes Sakyamuni, the Buddha of the Present. They were made as a pair to symbolize a scene from the Lotus Sutra, in which Prabhutaratna appears in a jeweled pagoda in order to verify the truth of Sakyamuni’s teachings.

Dabotap is presumed to date to the temple’s establishment in 751. This stone pagoda has an exceptionally ornate design, making it Korea’s most unique pagoda. As its design and structure are incomparable to any other pagodas, diverse theories have been suggested about the origin and principles behind its design.

During the Japanese colonial period, Dabotap was dismantled and renovated by Japanese authorities. However, no record about the renovation remained, and the Buddha relics and its reliquaries, which presumably were enshrined in the pagoda, went missing. There was also a guardian lion at the top of each of the four stairs, but three were stolen by the Japanese.

Seokgatap, a three-story stone pagoda, is also known as Muyeongtap., meaning the “pagoda of no shadow.” Dating to the 8th century during the Unified Silla period, it consists of a two-tier base, three sets of body and roof stones, and a decorative finial. Compared to Dabotap, this pagoda has a simple and well-balanced design that is typical of stone pagodas of the Unified Silla period. The two pagodas both contrast and harmonize with one another, showing the excellent creativity of their designers.

In 1966, Seokgatap was robbed and damaged, so repairs were conducted same year. During the repairs, a number of artifacts, including reliquaries for the Buddha relics (p. @@@), were discovered inside the second-story body stone. Among them, a copy of the Great Dharani Sutra dating to the early 8th century was discovered, which is considered to be the oldest woodblock printing in the world. 보은 법주사 팔상전(報恩 法住寺 捌相殿)_국보 제55호 Palsangjeon Wooden Pagoda of Beopjusa Temple, Boeun National Treasure No. 55

Beopjusa Temple was founded by Master Uisin 내용 추가 필요?

in 553 (the 14th year of King Jinheung’s reign) during the Silla kingdom. It is said that the temple was named Beopjusa, meaning the “temple where the Dharma resides,” because Uisin brought to this temple Buddhist scriptures he had obtained when he travelled to the West on a white donkey. 

Palsangjeon, the central pagoda of the temple, was destroyed during the Japanese Invasion of 1592-1598 and was reconstructed by Master Samyeong 1544-1610. A monk of the Joseon period

in 1626. The name palsangjeon, meaning the “hall of the eight great events,” came from palsangdo, the paintings of the eight great events in the life of Sakyamuni Buddha, which are enshrined above the altar in the center.

The five-story wooden pagoda is topped with a pyramid-shaped roof and a decorative finial. The pagoda’s interior consists of a space for enshrining the Buddha relics, a space for enshrining Sakyamuni Buddha and the palsangdo paintings, and a space for holding Dharma services. This Buddhist building has a significant meaning as the only extant wooden pagoda in Korea.

• “산사” 책 140쪽에는 1605년 사명대사가 재건하기 시작하여 1626년 벽암 각성 스님이 완공한 것으로 나옵니다.

금동미륵보살반가사유상(金銅彌勒菩薩半跏思惟像)_국보 제78호 Gilt-bronze Pensive Maitreya Bodhisattva National Treasure No. 78

This 90 cm-tall statue represents Maitreya Bodhisattva immersed in deep meditation. His right leg rests across his left knee, and his right index and middle fingers gently touches his cheek.

Images of a pensive bodhisattva are said to have been originated from the appearance of Prince Siddhartha, who was immersed in meditation while contemplating the life and death of human beings. However, during the Korean Three Kingdoms period in Korea, bodhisattvas depicted in the pensive posture seem to have been perceived as Maitreya Bodhisattva.

The ornate and sophisticated high headdress, is in the form of a combination of the sun and crescent moon, and seems to have been influenced by crowns from Persia. The bodhisattva’s contemplative meditation is successfully embodied with his face with a faint smile, the natural posture with crossed legs, the robe creating folds in front of the body, and the dynamic design of the waist belt.

In 1912, a Japanese person obtained this bodhisattva and donated it to the Japanese Government-General of Korea. Later, it was moved to the Government-General Museum, and is currently on display at the National Museum of Korea.

강진 무위사 극락전 아미타여래삼존벽화(康津 無爲寺 極樂殿 阿彌陀如來三尊壁畵)_국보 제313호 Mural Painting in Geungnakjeon Hall of Muwisa Temple, Gangjin (Amitabha Buddha Triad) National Treasure No. 313

This mural painting of an Amitabha Buddha Triad is painted on the wall behind the main altar in geungnakbojeon (Paradise hall) of Muwisa Temple (p. @@@). The triad consists of Amitabha Buddha seated in the center with standing attending bodhisattvas, namely Avalokitesvara and Ksitigarbha, to his left and right. In each upper corner of the painting, there are three arhats and two manifestations of the Buddha.

Amitabha, the principal Buddha, sits on a tall lotus pedestal with crossed legs. An almond-shaped nimbus, signifying the aura of light around the Buddha’s body, is depicted behind him. His facial features are clearly expressed on his round face, and he wears a robe that covers both shoulders. Ksitigarbha wears a hood and holds a staff in his right hand, while Avalokitesvara wears a transparent veil and lavish bead decorations.

This painting is presumed to have been made in 1476 (the 7th year of King Seongjong’s reign) during the Joseon period. It features typical characteristics of the Buddhist art from the Goryeo period, such as gentle colors and Avalokitesvara’s transparent veil. At the same time, it also presents new elements of Buddhist art from the early Joseon period, such as the almond-shaped nimbus, the overall yellow hue, and the size of bodhisattvas and arhats, which is similar to that of the principal Buddha.