English | Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Yongmunsa Temple
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Author Jogye On24-12-05 09:10 Views102 Comments0Related links
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The Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Yongmunsa Temple, currently enshrined in the Avalokitesvara Hall, is the epitome of 14th-century gilt-bronze bodhisattva statues and a classic Buddhist sculpture from northern Gyeonggi-do Province of the Goryo era. It was brought from Bongbok-sa Temple in Hoengseong to be placed in the pavilion originally dedicated to the Big Dipper, which was serving at that time as a main Dharma Hall after it was burned down by Japanese soldiers in 1910. The statue was later moved to the Great Hall and recently reinstalled in the current location with due ceremony.
The statue is depicted with rounded cheeks, delicately exposed breasts, five plaits of hair piled high to form a coif, luxuriant hair let down and knotted in three circles, and a triangular, inverted robe draped over the right shoulder. These are all stylistic features of the mid-14th century Goryeo period in addition to the A-shaped folds of the robe on the upper left arm, the flowing hem in front of the legs, the 'X' sash knot on the belly, the elaborate beaded jewelry on the chest and knees, and the gilded metalwork on the left breast.