Chiljangsa Temple: Assembly of Trikaya Buddhas

SOUTH KOREA, Gyeonggi, Anseong; Joseon dynasty

This mural depicts the Trikaya Buddhas: Dharmakaya Buddha, Sambhogakaya Buddha, and Nirmanakaya Buddha, teaching the Dharma at Vulture Peak. In 1997, it was listed as the Treasure No. 1256. Nirmanakaya Buddha sits in lotus position on a lotus throne in the center of the painting. His left hand rests in front of his abdomen while his right hand is extended downwards, forming the bhumisparsa (earth-touching) mudra. The Buddha is surrounded by figures such as: the Eight Great Bodhisattvas, the Ten Great Disciples, and the Four Heavenly Kings. Sariputra kneels in front of the throne listening to the Buddha teach the Dharma. Directly above Nirmanakaya Buddha, there is a stupa surrounded by a beautifully patterned mandorla. Sambhogakaya and Dharmakaya Buddhas, each accompanied by four attendants, sits flanking the stupa. Nine standing Bodhisattvas, all within a blue mandorla, are painted above the stupa. The three Buddhas form an inverted triangle; such approach to portraying the Trikaya Buddhas was popular during the Joseon dynasty.