Beomeosa Gwaebuldo and Gwaebulham in Busan Confirmed as National Registered Cultural Heritage

First National Registered Cultural Heritage for Beomeosa
Production Year and Chief Painter Confirmed Through Inscription at the Bottom of the Gwaebuldo
A Milestone in Modern Buddhist Painting Research
Traditional Buddhist Iconography Combined with Modern Shading Techniques

The Beomeosa Gwaebuldo and Gwaebulham, modern cultural heritage items managed by Geumjeong Chongnim Beomeosa (Chief Monk Jeong O), have been officially designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage.

This is the first National Registered Cultural Heritage for Beomeosa. The temple now possesses a total of 10 nationally designated cultural properties, including one Samguk Yusa National Treasure, seven Treasures such as the Daeungjeon Hall, Jogye Gate, and Buljosamgyeong, as well as one Natural Monument, the wisteria colony.

The Beomeosa Gwaebuldo is a large Buddhist painting created in 1905 by leading painters of the modern era, including Geumho Yak Hyo. The accompanying Gwaebulham, which was stored in the space behind the rear wall of the Daeungjeon Hall, features metal decorative patterns of the same material, suggesting it was made during the same period. The fact that both the Gwaebuldo and Gwaebulham from the same era remain together makes them valuable resources for studying both Buddhist painting and crafts of the modern period.

Beomeosa Temple Sacred Treasures Museum 1st Floor Hanging Buddhist Painting.

The Gwaebuldo is a large Buddhist painting, over 10 meters tall, used outdoors during major ceremonies at Beomeosa. The lower part contains a long inscription, which records that it was created in the ninth year of Daehan Gwangmu (1905), and lists the names of 16 painters, including Geumho Yak Hyo.

Based on traditional Buddhist iconography but actively utilizing modern shading techniques, this work clearly reflects the characteristics of the early 20th century and serves as a milestone in the study of modern Buddhist paintings.

Geumho Yak Hyo (1846-1928) was a leading figure in modern Korean Buddhist painting, and a representative Buddhist painter in the Chungcheong region from the late 19th to early 20th century. He began participating in painting Buddhist works in the 1870s, became a chief painter in the 1880s, and was active in the Seoul-Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang regions. Currently, about 100 Buddhist paintings by Geumhodang Yak Hyo remain nationwide.

Sanhae Jeong O, Chief Monk of Geumjeong Chongnim Beomeosa (Director of the Beomeosa Seongbo Museum), stated, "It has already been well over 100 years since the Beomeosa Gwaebuldo was created in 1905. Observing modern cultural heritage makes me realize anew how the present becomes history as time passes," and added, "The Beomeosa Gwaebuldo, which offers a different impression from Buddhist paintings of the Joseon Dynasty, will provide a new perspective and inspiration regarding Buddhist cultural heritage."

The newly registered 'Beomeosa Gwaebuldo' can currently be viewed on the first floor of the Beomeosa Seongbo Museum. When the museum was newly built and reopened in 2021, it created a special space where citizens can always view the Beomeosa Gwaebuldo, which is over 10 meters tall.

Beomeosa Temple Gwaebulham.

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