Biamsa Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas
Granite
Biamsa Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas
SOUTH KOREA, South Chungcheong, Yeongi; Unified Silla dynasty
The stele was listed as Treasure No. 367 in 1963. It depicts the Western Pure Land described in the Amitabha Sutra. Amitabha at the center is identified by the reverse swastika on his chest and an elaborate double ringed nimbus. The accompanying figures, with less elaborate nimbus, include a pair of Bodhisattvas, flanked by disciples, with Heavenly Kings beyond them. Small palaces with worshipping figures are supported on lotuses above these figures, followed by a semicircle of five seated Buddhas. Less well-defined figures appear above the seated Buddhas.
The base has a balustrade around a pond, indicated by undulating lines, from which grow the lotuses the figures stand upon. Devotees kneel on either side with guardian lions behind them. A four-line inscription is on the back of the piece, dating the work to 689.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Sculpture A-F, page 142.
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 A-F},
pages = 142,
title = {{Biamsa Temple: Amitabha Buddha and Bodhisattvas}},
volume = 10,
year = {2016}}