Seoljam's Only Buddhist Painting, the Painting of the Vulture Peak Assembly Inscribed with "Yongyeonsa," to Be Designated a Treasure

Nine Buddhist paintings, statues, historical documents, and excavated artifacts proposed for designation
The Yeonheungsa statue is Heejang's last surviving work

Painting of the Vulture Peak Assembly with the Inscription "Yongyeonsa" / Korea Heritage Service

The Korea Heritage Service announced on October 30 that it plans to designate three Buddhist paintings, three Buddhist statues, two historical documents, and one excavated artifact as Treasures, a category of nationally designated cultural heritage. It will collect public comments from various sectors for one month before making a decision following deliberation by the National Heritage Committee.

Inscriptions on two of the Buddhist paintings describe how they were made. The Painting of the Vulture Peak Assembly Inscribed with "Yongyeonsa" was created in 1731, and its original place of enshrinement was Yongyeonsa Temple. It is the only Buddhist painting created by Seoljam as chief monk-painter, and the participation of monk-painters from different lineages shows how artists collaborated in the first half of the 18th century. According to its inscription, the Amitabha Buddha Preaching Scene at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong was created in 1701 by Hyemyeong and others.

The remaining painting, the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, has a preparatory sketch that has also been preserved. It depicts a bodhisattva with 42 arms filling the entire canvas. The sketch reveals the painting's date of creation, the monk-painters involved, and the temple where it was enshrined.

Naju Yeongcheonsa Wooden Seated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva/National Heritage Administration.

The three Buddhist statues are significant for their representation of the sculptors' artistic worlds and the composition of the sacred figures. The Wooden Seated Sakyamuni Buddha Triad and Enshrined Relics at Yeonheungsa Temple in Yeonggwang is the last surviving work by chief sculptor-monk Hee-jang. The Wooden Seated Sakyamuni Buddha Triad at Chiljangsa Temple in Anseong comprises Sakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Bodhisattva, and Dipankara Bodhisattva, a one-Buddha-and-two-bodhisattvas configuration that differs from the typical triad arrangement in the main halls of late Joseon temples. The Wooden Seated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at Yeongcheonsa Temple in Naju is a life-size statue of Ksitigarbha in a half-lotus posture, a rare surviving example. It is believed to date from the first half of the 16th century.

Both historical documents are metal-type printed editions. Bak Tongsa, held by the National Assembly Library, is the only surviving edition printed with Eulhae metal type. Each passage records Jeongeum and Sok-eum in Hangul, providing evidence of changes in the Korean language in the 16th century. The Dosan Seowon documents, entrusted to the Korean Studies Advancement Center, are considered key materials for research into the development of metal type; four complete editions have been confirmed to bear records of royal bestowal or traces of ownership by Dosan Seowon.

Chwidu and Geompa Excavated at Yangjam-ri, Taean / National Heritage Administration

The excavated artifact, Chwidu and Geompa Excavated from Yangjam-ri, Taean, was reported by a local resident in 2019, confirming its existence, and was recovered between 2021 and 2022. It is considered a rare source for confirming the form of roof ridge ornaments from the early Joseon period.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.