Gapsa Temple: Assembly of Trikaya Buddhas

SOUTH KOREA, South Chungcheong, Gongju; Joseon dynasty

This painting depicting the Trikaya Buddhas was listed as National Treasure No. 298 in 1997. The Trikaya Buddhas are the Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Dharmakaya Buddhas. They represent the manifestation body, reward body, and Dharma body of the Buddha. The smiling Dharmakaya Buddha sits in the middle of the painting, forming the bodhyangi (wisdom fist) mudra. On the right is Sambhogakaya Buddha, who wears a splendid headdress and holds up both hands to form the vitarka (teaching) mudra. Nirmanakaya Buddha is on the left, forming the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. Both Dharmakaya and Nirmanakaya Buddhas have tall usnisas. All three figures have nimbuses and aureoles decorated with beautiful floral patterns.
On top of the Trikaya Buddhas, numerous smaller figures including the Buddhas of Ten Directions, an Arhat, Vajrapanibalin, Avalokitesvara, and Mahasthamaprapta are depicted. Colorful clouds are painted in the background. Manjusri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and the Four Heavenly Kings are painted on the sides of the bottom register. Sariputra, facing away from the viewer, kneels before the Buddhas.