Tongdosa Daegwangmyeongjeon Samsinbuldo

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1042

Category

Painting

Designated year

1990

Location

양산시, 경상남도— 경남 양산시 하북면 통도사로 108, 통도사성보박물관 (지산리)

Coordinates

35.487956, 129.064387

This painting of the Buddha triad used silk as canvas (3.15 m wide and 4.6 m long), depicting Vairocana Buddha flanked by Rocana Buddha and Sakyamuni Buddha. At the center of the painting, Vairocana, the principal Buddha, wears a robe that covers both shoulders and displays vajra mudra symbolizing that Buddha and the people are the one. On his left side, Rocana Buddha raises both hands as if preaching and wears a covering robe and a jeweled crown on his head. On the right side of Vairocana Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha shows bhumisparsa mudra, the hand gesture of defeating evil, with his robe covering only the left shoulder. Placed under Rocana and Sakyamuni Buddha are two pairs of Guardian Kings, one pair for each, making the overall composition of the painting look as if the Guardian Kings protect the Buddha triad. During the Joseon Period, a painting of the Buddha triad usually depicted Sakyamuni, Amitabha, and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha. Nonetheless, this one, painted by Im Han and Ha Yun in 1759 (35th year of King Yeongjo’s reign), is a rare example featuring Vairocana, Rocana, and Sakyamuni Buddha as a triad. It is very important for the research on both art history and Buddhist history of Korea.

Location