Water-Moon Avalokitesvara

KOREA; Goryeo dynasty

This painting depicts Sudhana visiting Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at Mount Potalaka, a scene described in the “Gandavyuha Chapter” of the Avatamsaka Sutra. Avalokitesvara sits on a rock above the sea. The left foot rests on a lotus pedestal, and the right leg is crossed over the left knee. The Bodhisattva wears a headdress decorated with a Buddha image. Long black hair hangs down past the shoulders. A necklace, armlets, a red stole, and string ornaments cover the upper body. The large nimbus and mandorla are depicted with thin golden lines. A vase rests upon a rock on the left. In the lower right corner, Sudhana stands on a lotus pedestal, joining his palms in reverence and gazing up at the Bodhisattva. A green stole wrapped around his arms appears to flutter in the wind. The fine brushwork and bright colors are characteristic of Goryeo Buddhist paintings.