Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Attendants

KOREA; Joseon dynasty

According to the Dunhuang manuscript Revival After Death, Master Daoming of Kaiyuan Temple in China was mistaken for another monk with the same name, and fell into hell. He witnessed terrible sufferings and was interrogated by the Ten Kings of Hell. He was later released back into the human realm with the help of Ksitigarbha. Daoming appears in most of the images of Ksitigarbha painted during the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), suggesting the influence of Revival After Death. This nearly square painting dates from the 17th century. The central figure, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, is seated in full lotus position on a lotus throne. The right hand holds a jewel and the left hand holds a staff. Below the throne, the monk Daoming stands on the right and Poisonless Ghost King is on the left, both joining their palms in reverence. Two Heavenly Kings and two Dharma protecting generals stand beside them. Six Bodhisattvas are gathered around Ksitigarbha. Each of the figures has a black nimbus. The noses of some of the figures are painted white to give them a three-dimensional appearance, a technique seen in court paintings from the 16th century. In the center at the bottom of the image, there is an inscription written in gold within a cartouche.