A Study on the Iron Seated Buddha at Bowonsa Temple in Seosan

Bowonsa Temple (普願寺) is located to the north of Gayasan Mountain in Unsan-myeon, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do Province. The cultural properties it enshrines were produced during the late Unified Silla and early Goryeo periods, and include an Iron Seated Buddha. The Japanese Government-General of Korea Museum planned a survey on historical remains in Chungcheongnam-do Province during the early Japanese colonial era, and a field survey was conducted at the Bowonsa Temple site in 1916 (Taishō 5). During this survey, the sculpture of the Iron Seated Buddha (knee: width 212 cm x thickness 167 cm) was found enshrined in a hut. The sculpture was moved to Gyeongbokgung Palace in the following year. However, it is clear that the colossal Iron Seated Buddha was being housed at the Bowonsa Temple site at the start of the Japanese colonial era. This Iron Seated Buddha is presumed to have been produced in 955 by State Preceptor Beopin Tanmun (法印國師 坦文, 900-975). Tanmun was born into an influential family that produced many high officials. He became a leading figure in the Hwaeom (Flower Garland) school of Buddhism under the patronage of King Taejo. He also led Buddhist events at the Goryeo royal court during the reigns of King Hyejong (惠宗, r. 943-945) and King Jeongjong (定宗, r. 945-949). With the emergence of Gyunyeo (均如, 923-973), who was sponsored by Queen Daemok (大穆王后, dates unknown) of the Hwangbo clan (皇甫氏), Tanmun was transferred to Bowonsa Temple far from Kaesong. However, even while there Tanmun strengthened his ties with his supporters under the patronage of the Chungju Yu clan. He appears to have produced this colossal sculpture of Iron Seated Buddha as a prayer for longevity and a happy life for King Gwangjong (光宗, r. 949-975). The inscription on the Stele of State Preceptor Beopin at Bowonsa Temple Site that reads "[I] created a Buddha triad in gold" also suggests the Iron Seated Buddha was produced at Bowonsa Temple. This Iron Seated Buddha is thought to have been enshrined originally in a hall at Building Site No. 3 within the Bowonsa Temple precinct. Since excavations at the temple site have revealed that the temple's main hall was erected in the Joseon period, the Iron Seated Buddha might have been enshrined in a different hall at the time of its creation. It is likely that the sculpture was placed in a hall at Building Site No. 3 since Goryeo-era roof tiles and porcelain have been frequently excavated there and the remains of a square Buddhist altar have survived at the site. At the time of its creation, the Iron Seated Buddha was likely enshrined in a Goryeo-era hall at Building Site No. 3 but was transferred to the main hall during a rebuilding project undertaken at Bowonsa Temple in the Joseon period.

서산(瑞山) 보원사(普願寺) 철조여래좌상(鐵造如來坐像) 고찰(考察)

보원사(普願寺)는 충청남도 서산시 운산면 가야산 북쪽에 위치한 사찰로, 경내에는 나말여초에 조성된 문화재가 남아있다. 일제강점기 조선총독부박물관은 충청남도의 고적 조사를 계획했고, 1916년(대정 5) 보원사지에 가서 현지 조사를 진행했다. 현지 조사 과정에서 소옥(小屋)에 안치된 철조여래좌상(무릎너비 7척, 두께 5척 5촌)을 확인했고, 이듬해에 경복궁으로 해당 철조여래좌상을 이운했다. 이는 일제강점기 보원사지에 2m가 넘는 대형 철조여래좌상 1구만이 존재했음을 의미한다. 철조여래좌상은 법인국사(法印國師) 탄문(坦文)(900~975)이 955년에 조성하였을 것이다. 탄문은 광주 고봉의 유력가문 출신으로 태조의 보살핌 속에 화엄종의 중심인물로 성장했고, 연이어 혜종(惠宗)(재위기간 943~945)과 정종(定宗)(재위 945~949)대에도 왕실의 불교행사를 주관했다. 이후 탄문은 대목왕후(大穆王后) 황보씨(皇甫氏)(?~?)의 후원을 받은 균여(均如)(923~973)의 등장으로 개경에서 떨어진 보원사로 이주하게 되었지만, 그곳에서 충주 유씨의 후원을 받아 지지 세력의 결속을 다지고 한편으로는 광종(光宗)(재위 949~975)의 만수무강을 기원하기 위해 대형의 철조여래좌상을 조성한 것으로 보인다. 탄문의 비문에 나오는 '주금상지삼존(鑄金像之三尊)'도 보원사에서 철조여래좌상이 주조되었음을 추정할 수 있는 근거이다. 철조여래좌상의 원(原) 봉안처는 보원사지 내 '건물지3'으로 추정된다. 발굴조사 결과 현재의 금당지는 조선시대에 세워진 건물지로 드러났기 때문에, 철조여래좌상은 조성 당시 다른 장소에 봉안되었을 가능성이 있다. 건물지3은 다른 건물지에 비해 고려시대 기와와 자기의 출토 빈도가 높고, 무엇보다도 정방형에 가까운 불단 유구가 남아있다는 점에서 이러한 추정이 가능하다. 철조여래좌상은 조성 당시 고려시대 전각인 건물지3에 봉안되었다가 조선시대 중창불사를 통해 지금의 금당지로 이운되었을 것이다.