Water-Moon Avalokitesvara

KOREA; Goryeo dynasty

Water-Moon, or “moon reflecting in the water,” refers to the illusory nature of all phenomena. There are numerous paintings of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in this form that show the Bodhisattva sitting upon rocks at the edge of water illuminated by moonlight, with a willow branch in a vase nearby. In this picture, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has full cheeks, slightly hunched shoulders, and arched eyebrows. The Bodhisattva joins the hands in front of one upraised knee and gazes to one side. The curved headdress is adorned with a Buddha image, and the densely folded monastic robe is decorated with circular floral patterns. Thin golden lines are used to depict the nimbus and the mandorla. On the left, there is a bowl containing a vase holding a willow branch. Rocks and bamboo are shown in the background. Waves hitting the rocky shore are faintly painted in the lower register. The posture, the clothes, and the skin color of Avalokitesvara differ from typical Korean portrayals of the Bodhisattva.