Chiljangsa Temple: Assembly of Five Buddhas

SOUTH KOREA, Gyeonggi, Anseong; Joseon dynasty

This mural painted by Beopgyeong depicts a Pure Land inhabited by Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and disciples. It was listed as National Treasure No. 296 in 1997.
Dharmakaya Buddha is in the middle of the upper register, flanked by Sambhogakaya Buddha and Nirmanakaya Buddha. These three together are known as the Trikaya Buddhas of the Dharma body, reward body, and manifestation body. Bodhisattvas and disciples stand between the Trikaya Buddhas. Medicine Buddha and Amitabha Buddha are painted in the middle register. Dharma protectors, Bodhisattvas, and the Four Heavenly Kings stand beside them. On the right side of the lower register, Sudhana looks up at Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and several attendants are shown on the left. Between Avalokitesvara and Ksitigarbha, the heavenly palace of Trayastrimsa Heaven on Mount Sumeru is depicted, with heavenly beings, humans, and ghosts standing below.
The distinguishing feature of this painting is its three-register layout, which allows many different figures with distinct appearances to be illustrated and organized into a unified whole.