Bogwangsa Mokjogwaneumbosaljwasang Mit Reliquary Objects, Andong

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1571

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려~조선

Designated year

2008

Location

안동시, 경상북도— 경북 안동시 도산면 서부2리 산50-7번지 보광사

Coordinates

36.741884, 128.833320

This Wooden Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Excavated Relics of Bogwangsa Temple, offer a clear glimpse into the refined and elegant Buddhist culture of the Goryeo Dynasty. The Bodhisattva of Compassion has an exotic and noble face and a majestic body with stable proportions. It is wearing a gorgeous crown and exquisite beaded accessories over a simple robe marked with vigorous folds. It is not clear when this Image was made but from comparison with other images of similar style, it is assumed to date to the early 13th century. Given the scarcity of Bodhisattva images handed down from this period, this Image is considered a crucial reference object. A total of 194 artifacts of 10 kinds have been found inside the image. Among them are the Jewel Box Dharani Sutra (Bohyeobin daranigyeong) and the Chongji Collection of Sanskrit Mantras (Beomseo chongjijip), both assumed to have been printed in the early 13th century. The Jewel Box Dharani Sutra, in particular, is a significant resource for the study of wooden printing blocks produced at Chongji Temple in 1007. The Chongji Collection of Sanskrit Mantras contains a publishing note revealing that a Zen monk named Sawon proofread the texts at Gwangjepo in Pyongyang in 1150, making it important for bibliographic research on esoteric thought and dharani sutras. Through the paper quality and the carving skills exhibited on the printing blocks, both Books show characteristic features of the printing technology of Goryeo. Other scriptures found inside the image are all important as evidence of the printing and publishing culture of Goryeo. A Jacket is another notable object as very few clothing items from the Goryeo Dynasty remain extant.

Location