Donghwasa Mokjoamitayeoraesamjonsang, Daegu

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.1999

Category

Sculpture

Designated year

2018

Location

동구, 대구광역시— 대구광역시 동구 동화사1길 1 (도학동)

Coordinates

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

The Wooden Amitabha Triad of Donghwasa Temple in Daegu is a group of three Buddhist statues, each measuring over two meters in height. It features a unique composition in which Amitabha is portrayed in a seated position, flanked by his two attendants, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta, in the standing position. A written prayer related with the triad revealed that the statues were carved in 1629 by a group of five monk-sculptors led by Hyeonjin. Hyeonjin is also famous for completing the project to carve eleven Buddhist statues for Jainsuyangsa, a Buddhist monastery established under the patronage of Queen Jangnyeol, King Gwanghaegun’s consort, for which he led a group of monk-artists invited from all over the country, resulting in one of the most prominent achievements in Korean Buddhist sculpture of the seventeenth century. Known to be among the largest wooden statues produced in the first half of the seventeenth century, the triad of Donghwasa Temple is notable for its imposing figures, attractively-shaped bodies, and benign faces, complete with the pedestal. Today, the triad is widely regarded as the finest example of Korean Buddhist sculpture of the seventeenth century and as a great source of information as there is a detailed record of its background, production date, artists, and enshrinement. The two attendants flanking Amitabha Buddha are known to be the only extant statues in a standing position carved by Hyeonjin.