Yeongwonsa Temple: Illustration of the Ullambana Sutra

SOUTH KOREA, Gangwon, Wonju; Joseon dynasty

This painting symbolically depicts the offering ceremony described in the Ullambana Sutra. The Buddhas Prabhutaratna, Surupakaya, Vipulakaya, Abhayajkara, and Amrtaraja, as well as the Avalokitesvara, Ksitigarbha, and Bodhisattva as a Guide are painted in the upper register. In the middle register, an altar covered with offerings is flanked by monks and nuns conducting a ceremony. Food is offered to hungry ghosts and music is played for the Buddhas. A large hungry ghost with disheveled hair is depicted below the altar. Small figures representing the beings in the six realms of existence are located beside the ghost.