Cheongnyongsa Temple: Assembly at Vulture Peak

SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Yecheon; Joseon dynasty

This picture, painted by a team of five artists, depicts Sakyamuni Buddha teaching at Vulture Peak. It was listed as Treasure No. 1257 in 1997. Sakyamuni Buddha is in the center of the picture, sitting in full lotus position on a lotus throne and emitting five rays of light from his urna. His nimbus and aureole are decorated with beautiful colored patterns. His left hand is placed upon his knee and his right hand is held up at shoulder. This differs from most other depictions of the Vulture Peak assembly in which the Buddha is shown forming the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. The Buddha is surrounded by numerous figures including the Bodhisattvas Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Maitreya, Avalokitesvara, and Mahasthamaprapta, as well as the Ten Great Disciples, the Four Heavenly Kings, Brahma, Sakra, and the Naga King. In front of the Buddha, a monk facing away from the viewer kneels on the ground listening to the Dharma. This monk is likely Sariputra, suggesting that the picture portrays the teaching of the Lotus Sutra.