Tongdosa Temple Universal Light Hall: Illustration of the Avatamsaka Sutra

SOUTH KOREA, South Gyeongsang, Yangsan; Joseon dynasty

An inscription states that this picture of scenes from the Avatamsaka Sutra was painted in 1811 by a group of monastic artists. It was listed as Treasure No. 1352 in 2002.
In the sutra, the Buddha teaches the Dharma to nine different assemblies in seven different places. The upper register of the painting contains depictions of the assemblies in the various heavens. Assemblies in the human realm are shown in the middle register. In the lower register, an assembly is flanked by Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara and Cundi. A karmic mirror is faintly visible on the far left. The detailed figures are painted with fine gold lines. Their heads and arms are filled in with gold paint, making them stand out from the dark background.