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Wooden Sakyamuni Buddha Triad of Heungguksa Temple, Yeosu

여수 흥국사 목조석가여래삼존상 ( 麗水 興國寺 木造釋迦如來三尊像 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Wooden Sakyamuni Buddha Triad of Heungguksa Temple, Yeosu
Quantity 3
Designated Date 2008.03.12
Age 1628-1644
Address Heungguksa Temple San 17, Jungheung-dong, Yeosu, Jeollanam-do

As the principal Buddha in Daeungjeon Hall of Heungguksa Temple, this Sakyamuni Triad is comprised of Sakyamuni and two attendant Bodhisattvas, Maitreya and Dipamkara. The Bodhisattva figures have embossed inscriptions on the back of their crowns, which mean “Maitreya, Chongzhen Era of Great Ming” and “Dipamkara, Chongzhen Era of Great Ming,” respectively. Hence it is known the Buddha triad, symbolic of assuring enlightenment, was made during the reign of Chongzhen Emperor (r. 1628-1644) of the Ming Dynasty. Sculpted with great skill, the images have a good sense of volume, with the hands and feet naturally depicted and the folds in the robes and the accessories gorgeously expressed. The Buddha image well represents the simplicity of 17th-century Buddhist sculpture, while the two Bodhisattvas show natural postures and majestic physical proportions. As there are few other Sakyamuni triads of comparable scale and stylistic refinement dated to the early 17th century, these figures are considered representative of Buddhist sculpture of late Joseon in terms of iconography and sculpting style.