Sutasa Temple: Trikaya Buddhas

SOUTH KOREA, Gangwon, Hongcheon; Joseon dynasty

The Trikaya Buddhas symbolize the three bodies or aspects of a Buddha, a complex feature of Mahayana Buddhist thought. Dharmakaya Buddha represents the Dharma body, Sambhogakaya Buddha represents the reward body, and Nirmanakaya Buddha represents the manifestation body. They can also be thought of as the embodiment of truth, the embodiment of wisdom, and the embodiment of merits.
In this late Joseon dynasty painting on window paper, the Trikaya Buddhas have peaceful expressions and wear robes decorated with simple, varied patterns. Standing on lotus pedestals, they each form a different mudra. Clouds and curving lines of colorful light are painted behind the Buddhas.