Hakdoam Hermitage: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
Stone
Hakdoam Hermitage: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (detail)
Hakdoam Hermitage: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva
SOUTH KOREA, Seoul; Joseon dynasty
The giant Bodhisattva is carved on a cliff at the back of Hakdoam Hermitage. The hermitage was built in 1624 during the Joseon dynasty and was reconstructed in 1878 and 1955. This Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is listed as Municipal Tangible Cultural Property No. 124.
Avalokitesvara faces the southwest and wears a crown bearing an image of seated Amitabha Buddha. The Bodhisattva sits cross-legged on a lotus throne, with one leg showing. The right hand rests near the waist and the left is raised with the thumb and middle finger joining.
Based on records, this sculpture, created during the late Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), was sponsored by Empress Myeongseong in 1872 and exudes royal style. The inscription on the right bears the name of the sculptor, in addition to the name of a monk and some mantras.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves R-L, page 422.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves R-L},
pages = 422,
title = {{Hakdoam Hermitage: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva}},
volume = 6,
year = {2016}}