Gaepodong: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
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Gaepodong: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Goryeong; Goryeo dynasty
This bas-relief slab was found in Gaejin, Goryeong, but whether this was its original location is unclear. Because the curving rock also functions as a mandorla, the image is not accurately centered. The rock is about 30 cm thick. An inscription on the back dates it to 985. The work is listed as listed as Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 118.
The Bodhisattva wears a three-leaf headdress with a seated Buddha at the center, suggesting the figure is Avalokitesvara. The arms are thin in proportion to the broad body. The raised right hand is in vitarka (teaching) mudra and the left hand supports the long stalk of a lotus. The rimmed nimbuses intersect and overlap the patterned mandorla. The figure sits in full lotus position on a lotus throne, the small upturned soles of the feet are stylized and the folds of the robe are simplified.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M, page 361.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Lovelock, Yann and Chou, Yuan and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture G-M},
pages = 361,
title = {{Gaepodong: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva}},
volume = 11,
year = {2016}}