Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha and Excavated Relics of Heukseoksa Temple, Yeongju

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.282

Category

Sculpture

Era

조선

Designated year

1993

Location

영주시, 경상북도— 경북 영주시 이산면 이산로 390-40, 흑석사, 서울 종로구 우정국로55 불교중앙박물관

Coordinates

35.845859, 128.637925

Heukseoksa is a temple founded no later than the Unified Silla Period and has the rock-cut Buddhist image of the Three Kingdoms Period and the Seated Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 681) of the Unified Silla Period. The temple had been destroyed by fire during the Japanese Invasion in 1592 and was rebuilt in 1945. It was not until 1990s that many relics were found from within the Wooden Amitabha Buddha enshrined in Daeungjeon Hall or the main building. The documents found with the relics revealed that the Wooden Amitabha Buddha was made in 1458 during the reign of King Sejo of Joseon as the Principal Buddha of the Buddha Triad of Beopcheonsa Temple. Consistent with this record is the style shown in the topknot and the clothes folds near the arms and stomach, which is typical in the earlier Joseon Dynasty. The location of the Beopcheonsa Temple, however, is unclear because many temples existed there with the same name in many regions including Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do. The relics in all are fourteen pieces of seven kinds including some Buddhist amulets, Bulsangjoseonggwongomun recording the list of donors and information of this Buddha image and Buljosamgyeonghapbu, a compilation of sutras. The contents found within the body are in accordance with the record of Josanggyeong, which was published by Yujeomsa Temple in 1824: Thirty-eight kinds of fabrics, five kinds of perfumery, five cereals and the Seven Treasures such as glass, pearl, amber, etc. These relics, revealing the production date of the Wooden Amitabha Buddha, are precious themselves especially for textiles and bibliographical research.

Location