Wooden Amitabha Buddha Altarpiece and Related Documents of Daeseungsa Temple, Mungyeong

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.575

Category

Books & Records

Designated year

1973

Location

문경시, 경상북도— 경북 문경시 산북면 대승사길 283, 대승사 (전두리)

Coordinates

36.749704, 128.271873

This wooden altarpiece was originally housed in Buseoksa Temple before it was moved to Daeseungsa Temple. The scene and the figures represented in this bas-relief combining openwork sculpture are from a hanging scroll. Buddhist hanging scroll, images on a Buddhist subject, painted usually on fabric or paper, are often hung behind the altar of a worship place as an altarpiece. Wooden thangka of this type were quite popular in late Joseon. This item is one of the finest examples of its kind. The Amitabha Buddha is a separate piece of wood sculpture, placed on a lotus throne which is carved in the middle of the bas-relief, along with a mandorla. The rest of the bas-relief is filled with the figures of attendants, seated in five rows. The associated documents relate disputes that existed between Daeseungsa and Buseoksa prior to the relocation of this altarpiece to the former and include ‘Sangju Daseungsa-oe sasaseungdo deungjang,’ ‘Sangju Sabulsan Daeseungsaseungdo deungjang,’ ‘Donae Sangju Sabulsan Daeseungsajeseung deungjang,’ and ‘Wanui.’ This altarpiece is considered invaluable for research into late Joseon Buddhist sculpture.

Location