Naesosa Temple: Assembly at Vulture Peak

SOUTH KOREA, North Jeolla, Buan; Joseon dynasty

Painted by five monks including the renowned Cheonsin, this picture symbolically depicts the Buddha expounding the Lotus Sutra at Vulture Peak. It is displayed in the courtyard of Naesosa Temple during the annual celebration of the Buddha’s birthday. It was listed as Treasure No. 1268 in 1997.
Sakyamuni Buddha stands in the center of the picture, flanked by Prabhutaratna Buddha, and the Bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara and Manjusri on the left, and Amitabha Buddha, and Bodhisattvas Mahasthamaprapta and Samantabhadra on the right. All of the figures, dressed in ornate patterned monastic robes, stand on lotus pedestals and are identified by inscriptions within their nimbuses. Sakyamuni has long ears, narrowed eyes, and a usnisa. The Bodhisattvas wear headdresses adorned with hanging ornaments, flaming jewels, or a Buddha image. Only the heads of Amitabha and Prabhutaratna beside Sakyamuni’s nimbus are visible. The realistic skin tone of the figures is created with a wash of blended colors, characteristic of Cheonsin’s painting style.