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National Treasure

Buddhist Painting of Songgwangsa Temple, Suncheon (Illustration of the Avatamsaka Sutra)

순천 송광사 화엄경변상도 ( 順天 松廣寺 華嚴經變相圖 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Buddhist Painting of Songgwangsa Temple, Suncheon (Illustration of the Avatamsaka Sutra)
Quantity 1 painting
Designated Date 2009.09.02
Age The 46th year of the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon (1770)
Address Songgwangsa Temole, 100, Songgwangsaan-gil, Songgwang-myeon, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do

The colored painting is about the Seven Locations and Nine Assemblies stated in Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra) made on silk fabric. Overall, it is well-balanced symmetrically with a well-set composition. It uses red, green, and gold colors on mud-yellow ground, showing a trend toward the use of brighter, more gorgeous colors in the Buddhist paintings of the 18th century. The lower part of the painting contains the image of Samantabhadra explaining the world of the universal lotus flower, which is Vairocana Buddha’s pure land to ordinary people. According to records, a group of 12 monk painters, including Hwaryeon, made this painting in 1770 (46th year of the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon) at Ansimsa Temple in Mudeungsan Mountain but was later relocated to its current location. A valuable object, it is the earliest existing one among the illustrations of Avatamsaka Sutra, faithfully depicting the Seven Locations and Nine Assemblies stated in Avatamsaka Sutra.