Hanging Painting of Vairocana Buddha Triad of Bongseon-sa > Buddhism Culture

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English | Hanging Painting of Vairocana Buddha Triad of Bongseon-sa

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Author Jogye On24-11-08 10:36 Views102 Comments0

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The Hanging Painting of the Vairocana Buddha Triad enshrined in Bongseon-sa Temple is a rare 18th-century Buddha image painted on paper. Vairocana, one of the triad of trikaya Buddhas, is placed in the center of the painting, flanked on the left and right by the Rocana Buddha and Sakyamuni Buddha. Vairocana has two orbs adorning his head, one at the top and the other above his forehead, and his hands are clasped together in front of his chest, his right hand wrapped around his left in the Vajra Mudra. He is robed in a traditional Indian kasaya that covers both shoulders and is decorated at the hem with a cloud motif, while the white lining of the robe forms cloud and lotus flower patterns as it flows downward.


The Rocana Buddha wears a bejeweled headdress with his hands held in the Vitarka Mudra in front of his shoulders. His hands and chest are lavishly ornamented, and his abdomen is stamped with white swastika 卍’ and floral symbols. Sakyamuni Buddha is depicted in a similar manner as Vairocana, with the orb-like ornament on the crown of his head and fleshy coif, but without the cintamani jewel.  


The mandorla surrounding all three Buddhas in the background is colored green to contrast with the red of the large flame pattern bordering it at the edge. The six Bodhisattvas to the left and right either hold holy objects or have their palms joined in front of their chest, all with circular halos around their heads. Among the ten principal disciples of Sakyamuni Buddha around the six Bodhisattvas, Ananda and Kasyapa are placed symmetrically, with the former on the left holding a sutra while the latter standing with his hands folded in front of him on the right side of the painting. Other disciples are depicted with different expressions and postures, including one resting his chin on his hand and appearing to be dozing and another gazing off into the distance with his head tilted to the side, adding interest to what could have been an otherwise monotonous scene.  



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