Skip Navigation

Heritage Search

Treasure

Hanging Scroll Behind the Amitabha Buddha in Geungnakjeon Hall of Cheoneunsa Temple

천은사 극락전 아미타후불탱화 ( 泉隱寺 極樂殿 阿彌陀後佛幀畵 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Hanging Scroll Behind the Amitabha Buddha in Geungnakjeon Hall of Cheoneunsa Temple
Quantity 1
Designated Date 1987.07.16
Age The 52nd year of the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon (1776)
Address Cheoneonsa Temple 209, Nogodan-ro, Gwangui-myeon, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do

In a Buddhist sanctum, the wall behind the principal Buddha statue is usually adorned with a scroll or a frame of a Buddhist painting drawn on cloth or paper. This hanging scroll in Geungnakjeon Hall of Cheoneunsa Temple depicts Amitabha Buddha, who leads the spirit of the deceased to easy passage into eternity, and he is giving a sermon in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. This painting is 277 cm wide and 360 cm long. Amitabha Buddha is at the center of this painting, surrounded by eight Bodhisattvas, ten disciples, and Four Guardian Kings. Amitabha is sitting on a high lotus pedestal, with Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas holding a bottle and a scripture, respectively. Other Bodhisattvas are clasping their hands, showing the typical style of Buddhist paintings made in the late Joseon Period. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is wearing a mesh hat on his bald head, a unique feature prevalent during the Goryeo Period. It was painted on hemp cloth mainly with red and green colors, the thick colors giving a calm, peaceful impression. This painting was drawn by 14 monk painters, including Sinam, in 1776 (52nd year of King Yeongjo’s reign). It is regarded as an important heritage because the record on this painting gives information not only on its title and year of manufacture but also on the names of the figures.