Namjangsa Bogwangjeon Mokgagamitayeoraeseolbeopsang, Sangju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.922

Category

Painting

Era

조선시대 후기

Designated year

1987

Location

상주시, 경상북도— 경북 상주시 남장1길 259-22, 남장사 (남장동)

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

In a Buddhist sanctum, the wall behind the principal Buddha statue is usually adorned with a scroll or a frame of a Buddhist painting drawn on cloth or paper. Note, however, that Bogwangjeon Hall of Namjangsa Temple has a unique piece of art on its wall: a wooden sculpture representing various religious figures. This altarpiece, measuring 236 cm wide, 226 cm long, and 10-12 cm thick, is hung behind the statue of Vairocana Buddha. Vairocana Buddha is sitting on a lotus flower at the center, with ten Bodhisattvas, ten disciples, and Four Guardian Kings arranged in three columns of four rows on both sides. All Bodhisattvas are wearing a jeweled crown and holding a spray of flowers, and only one Bodhisattva has his hands clasped. The Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas are sitting on a lotus flower, whereas other figures are standing or bending their knees. The spaces between the figures are decorated with lotus flowers and buds, and two lines of auspicious clouds are sprouting above the principal Buddha. The face of Vairocana is square and rather big compared with the body. There is no way of finding out exactly when this altarpiece was made because no inscription has survived, but it displays the typical characteristics of Buddhist art during the late Joseon Period.