Songgwangsa Temple Buddha Hall: Fifty-Three Buddhas

SOUTH KOREA, South Jeolla, Suncheon; Joseon dynasty

These pictures are part of a set of seven paintings located in the Buddha Hall of Songgwangsa Temple. In the central painting, the Buddhas of the Four Directions are in the top row, and the Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya Buddhas sit in the bottom row. The other six paintings are divided into two groups arranged on either side of the central piece. The three paintings on each side contain images of thirteen Buddhas, nine Buddhas, and five Buddhas, all sitting in two rows.
All of the Buddhas wear red monastic robes and have usnisas on their heads. Sitting in lotus position, they form an array of mudras. Inscriptions within red cartouches state the name of each figure. There are variations in the depictions of the folds and colors of the monastic robes. Lotus thrones rise up to support the Buddhas at the bottom of the paintings. The backgrounds are filled with colorful clouds.