Cheonggoksa Temple Great Hero Hall: Assembly at Vulture Peak

SOUTH KOREA, South Gyeongsang, Jinju; Joseon dynasty

This large illustration was painted by a group of monks led by the renowned painter Euigyeom. Only displayed during the Buddha’s birthday celebration and large-scale Dharma services, it was listed as National Treasure No. 302 in 1997.
Sakyamuni Buddha, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva dominate the painting. The Buddha, standing in the center, has broad shoulders, large ears, and narrow eyes. Thin trails of smoke rise from his usnisa and extend into the top of the painting. A swastika is painted on his chest, and he wears an ornate patterned monastic robe. The colorful nimbus has multiple rings of detailed patterning. The two Bodhisattvas wear elaborate headdresses decorated with flaming jewels, golden birds, and hanging ornaments. They each hold a lotus and wear a monastic robe patterned in a style similar to that of the Buddha. Ananda, Mahakasyapa, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, and two Buddhas are shown above the central figures. Colorful clouds are painted in the background.