Namjangsa Temple Avalokitesvara Hall: Sakyamuni Buddha Assembly

SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Sangju; Joseon dynasty

The enthroned Buddha is at the center of this painted relief. He is flanked by four Bodhisattvas, his disciples Mahakasyapa and Ananda, and the Four Heavenly Kings at the far sides. The Buddha’s hands form a mudra while the Bodhisattvas join their palms in anjali (reverence) mudra or hold long-stemmed lotuses. Mahakasyapa’s hands are in uttarabodhi (supreme enlightenment) mudra while Ananda’s are in anjali mudra. The Heavenly Kings are distinguished by the attributes in their hands: on the right, Virudhaka holds a sword and Dhrtarastra a lute, while on the left Vaisravana holds a pearl and a mongoose and Virupaksa holds a pagoda. The Buddhas descend on clouds at the top, while the composition is supported at the bottom by a lake of lotus blossoms. The composition was listed as Treasure No. 923 in 1987.