Wooden Seated Vairocana Buddha Triad of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.336

Category

Sculpture

Era

1635년(인조 13)

Designated year

2021

Location

구례군, 전라남도— 전라남도 구례군 화엄사로 539 (마산면, 대한불교조계종 화엄사)

Coordinates

35.227700, 127.500200Museum-based location

This English description was machine-translated and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the original Korean text for details.

Wooden Seated Buddha Triad of Vairocana at Hwaeomsa Temple, Gurye. This wooden seated Buddha triad, enshrined in the Main Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple, is a representative 17th-century Buddhist sculpture completed in 1635 (the 13th year of King Injo's reign) through collaboration by renowned Joseon-period sculptors Cheong-heon, Eung-won, In-gyun, and their disciples. The 'Buddha Triad' represents the Dharma Body Vairocana, the Reward Body Locana Buddha, and the Manifestation Body Shakyamuni Buddha — as the only sculptural representation of this triad, it holds an indispensable place in the history of Joseon Buddhist sculpture. The triad was created in 1634-1635 when Hwaeomsa Temple was being rebuilt after its destruction during the Japanese invasions (1592-1598), with 1,320 patrons participating under the direction of the monk Byeok-am Gakseong (1575-1660) and royal court patronage. The three Buddhas sit in lotus position on ornate lotus pedestals and octagonal wooden bases, with a total height exceeding 3 meters. Among all wooden Buddhist statues created in the 17th century, these are the largest in size, and as the only sculptural depiction of the Trikaya Buddhist doctrine, they hold outstanding status in the history of Buddhist sculpture.

Location