Frontispiece of the Avatamsaka Sutra

KOREA; Unified Silla dynasty

This is a two-sided frontispiece for a copy of the Avatamsaka Sutra that was transcribed by the monk Yeongi of Hwangnyongsa Temple in North Gyeongsang. The transcription started in 754 during the Unified Silla dynasty, and was completed in less than a year. Only two of the scrolls have been preserved; one inscribed with fascicles 1 to 10, and the other with fascicles 44 to 50. This illustration is from fascicle 1, and was listed as National Treasure No. 196 in 1979.
The image is missing its central section, but part of some figures, floral patterns, and architectural features is still visible. On the front, the central figure, thought to be Vairocana Buddha, is badly damaged. The Buddha sits on a lotus throne supported by lions. Samantabhadra and several other smaller Bodhisattva figures can be seen on the left. A pagoda partially covered by flowers is shown in the background. On the other side, there are large floral patterns on the right. The foot of a Dharma protector can be seen standing on a lotus pedestal on the left. Gold and silver lines outline the figures, building, and flowers.