Gochang Seonunsa Dosolam 'Hyeonhwangdo·Dokseongdo' Designated as Tangible Cultural Heritage Notice

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do announced the preliminary designation of two Buddhist paintings, ‘Hyeonhwangdo’ and ‘Doksongdo,’ enshrined in the Geungnakbojeon of Dosolam at Seonunsa Temple, as Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Properties. This follows a review by the Jeollabuk-do Cultural Heritage Committee (Division 2), which recognized their historical and artistic value in Buddhism.

According to the county on the 14th, ‘Gochang Seonunsa Dosolam Hyeonhwangdo’ and ‘Gochang Seonunsa Dosolam Doksongdo’ are Buddhist paintings known as tanghwa (hanging scroll paintings).

Both paintings retain the complete inscription (hwagi) recording their creation, clearly indicating the production year (1896 / Byeongshin year), the enshrinement location (Dosolam), and the painter monks involved. The list of participants in the Buddhist rituals and the names of donors are also fully identifiable.

This marks the first time Buddhist paintings have been designated as cultural properties in Jeollabuk-do.

‘Hyeonhwangdo,’ depicting the King of the Underworld who judges the deceased three days after death and his retinue, is a Buddhist painting featuring Bohyeonwang Nyorai (Universal King Tathagata), the leader of the underworld assembly, surrounded by several attendants.

‘Gochang Seonunsa Dosolam Hyeonhwangdo’ measures a modest 111.3×91.7 cm (painting area 103.0×85.2 cm). It centers on the King of the Underworld, with attendants such as the recorder (noksa), judge (pangan), messenger (saja), and child attendants (dongja) depicted writing or holding books in the underworld.

The painting conveys a tense atmosphere of the judgment scene, with figures holding a parasol and a banana leaf fan, and the postures of the interacting characters stand out.

Hyeonhwang sits majestically against a six-panel folding screen (yukgok byeongpung) painted with landscapes, resting his arm on a uniquely shaped chair armrest. He wears warrior-style clothing and a distinctive topknot hat.

The vivid composition, organic relationships among figures, expressive facial features revealing character, and the involvement of painter monk Bonghwa as the head painter, along with So-hyeon and Geungyeop, make this a highly regarded work by three outstanding artists.

‘Gochang Seonunsa Dosolam Doksongdo’ is noted for its stable composition, solid design, and dignified facial expressions, effectively capturing the characteristics of Doksongdo. The inscription content is also preserved, maintaining the original form and thus recognized for its value as a tangible cultural property.

Doksong is a saint who attained enlightenment alone, identified as Pindola-bharadvaja, the first of the sixteen arhats. He practiced and attained enlightenment on Mount Tiantai and is also known in Korea as Nabanjonja.

The Doksongdo of Dosolam is a Buddhist painting measuring 118.5×65.7 cm (painting area 109.3×59.2 cm), depicting the main figure Doksong and his attendant child against a background of rugged rocks, widely spread pine trees, a white-trunked waterfall, banana plants, and flowers.

The stable composition, lively brushwork, landscape background, and the intact inscription allow for understanding the iconography of Doksongdo in 19th-century Jeollabuk-do, the faith in Doksong, and the activities of the painter monks, making it a valuable work.

Na Cheolju, Director of the Cultural Heritage Tourism Division, said, “As a precious cultural asset of Seonunsa Temple, the head temple of the 24th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Gochang-gun, this will open a new chapter in Buddhist cultural research and is expected to be utilized as Buddhist cultural content.”

He added, “We will take the lead in preservation and utilization, fostering local pride in Buddhist cultural heritage and using it as educational material to further enhance its value and status.”

Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil gjg7070@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.