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Wooden Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at Gwaneumseonwon Hermitage of Namjangsa Temple, Sangju

상주 남장사 관음선원 목조관음보살좌상 ( 尙州 南長寺 觀音禪院 木造觀音菩薩坐像 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Wooden Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at Gwaneumseonwon Hermitage of Namjangsa Temple, Sangju
Quantity 1 statue
Designated Date 2020.06.23
Age Joseon Period
Address Sangju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

In regard to the Seated Wooden Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue at the Avalokitesvara Zen Center, Namjangsa Temple in Sangju, there has not been information found about its initial construction. It is believed that it dates from the 15th century or the early Joseon era judging from features as follows: the aristocratic appearance, the elegantly wrinkled lapels, the horse shoe-shaped robe elbow wrinkles, folding fan-shaped wrinkles spread in front of the knees, flamboyant hanging accessories, and the round coiled topknot, etc.

There are few Buddha statues still left as those made in the early Joseon Dynasty Period and so the Seated Wooden Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue at the Avalokitesvara Zen Center is an important one for those studying the history of Buddhist sculpture objects of that era. During the repair and re-application of gold bond powder in 2012, a letter of prayer put inside the statue at the time of its repair in 1701 was found, and the repair records about the re-application of gold bond powder to the statue and the painting hung behind the statue written in 1841 were also discovered. These facts are a testament to the academic value of studying the structural aspects of this Buddha statue.