Haeinsa Temple Hall of Great Silence and Light: Assembly at Vulture Peak

SOUTH KOREA, South Gyeongsang, Hapcheon; Joseon dynasty

This painting hangs on the back wall of the Hall of Great Silence and Light at Haeinsa Temple. It depicts Sakyamuni Buddha at Vulture Peak with an assembly of symmetrically arranged figures. In 1997, it was listed as the Treasure No. 1273 of Korea. The Buddha is seated in the center of the image, wearing an intricately patterned monastic robe and forming the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. Atop his usnisa there is a jewel that emits rays of light.
Standing below the Buddha are the Bodhisattvas Manjusri and Samantabhadra, wearing headdresses and standing on lotus pedestals. The Four Heavenly Kings are in the bottom corners, dressed in billowing robes and armor. To the left and right of the body of the Buddha, two disciples and a group of 26 Bodhisattvas are arranged in four rows. Above them there are numerous Arhats and the Eight Classes of Dharma Protectors. At the top of the painting, two semicircular groups of Buddhas are surrounded by arches of white clouds, and two more groups of six Buddhas sit on green clouds.