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Clay Seated Amitabha Buddha Triad of Muryangsa Temple, Buyeo

부여 무량사 소조아미타여래삼존좌상 ( 扶餘 無量寺 塑造阿彌陀如來三尊坐像 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Clay Seated Amitabha Buddha Triad of Muryangsa Temple, Buyeo
Quantity 3
Designated Date 2008.06.27
Age 1633
Address Muryangsa Temple 203, Muryang-ro, Oesan-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

Echoing the style of big clay Buddha images enshrined at many large Korean temples in the 17th century, the Triad is the principal icon of the Geungnakjeon Hall, a two-story pavilion, of Muryangsa Temple in Buyeo. The Triad consists of Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta. A letter of invocation found inside the Images along with other artifacts states that the Triad was made in 1633 by the Monk sculptor Hyeonjin. With its production date clearly revealed, the Triad is regarded as a valuable resource for studying the history of sculpture and different schools of Buddhist sculpture of the late Joseon Dynasty. Probably due to difficulties in carving large-sized figures, the Buddhas tend to look somewhat formulaic in appearance, but they are still monumental works demonstrating efforts across the Buddhist community to restore self-confidence and pride in the wake of the two major wars with Japan and Qing. The iconography comprised of Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta is rare for the early 17th century, when Buddha Triads mostly consisted of the Buddhas of the Three Ages or the icons representing the threefold body of Buddha.