• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.86-109
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• 2009

Mireuksa Temple was founded during the reign of King Mu of Baekje(AD 600-641). The circumstance of the construction of this temple is documented in "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms (Samgukyusa)". The pagoda named stone pagoda at Mireuksaji temple stands outside the main sanctuary of the western area. The south and west sides of the stone pagoda have completely collapsed, leaving only the eastern facade of six of its levels intact. Through the recent discovery of sarira reliquary we can see that the erection of this pagoda was in 639. So owing to accumulation of excavation results about Baekje temple site and vigorous academic exchange, it is possible that architecture of western pagoda at Mireuksaji temple can be understood in connection with the architectural development of wooden pagoda from 6th to early 7th century in East Asia. So this study is on the consideration of building of this pagoda putting first structure of upper part and cross-shaped space in 1st floor. It was considered that the material characteristics as stone could be applied to the temple pagoda architecture of large scale. The results are as follows. First, it had been built in recognition that the outer and inner part of pagoda should be separated. As it is the expression of structural system in temple pagoda architecture of large scale at that time. In pagoda there was a self-erected structure and the members of outer part of it were constructed additionally. Second, in Mireuksaji stone pagoda there is central column with stones. With inner part of pagoda it can be regarded as mixed structural system that constitutes central contral column and inner structural part. And it could be a kind of middle step to more developed structure of whole as wooden pagodas in Japan. Third, as the sarira reliquary was in central column on the first floor, the cross-shaped space could be made. The formation of this space was so on the natural meaning of sarira that the concept as memorial service of graves could be apllied to the pagoda. The style of tomb in Baekje was expressed to the space of 1st floor in pagoda where Sarira had been mstalled. That was not only effective presentation of symbolic space but also easier method in the use of same material.

• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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• v.98
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• pp.22-53
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• 2020

This paper analyzes the contents, characteristics, and historical significance of the dedicatory inscriptions (josanggi) on the Amitabha Buddha and the Maitreya Bodhisattva statues of Gamsansa Temple, two masterpieces of Buddhist sculpture from the Unified Silla period. In the first section, I summarize research results from the past century (divided into four periods), before presenting a new perspective and methodology that questions the pre-existing notion that the Maitreya Bodhisattva has a higher rank than the Amitabha Buddha. In the second section, through my own analysis of the dedicatory inscriptions, arrangement, and overall appearance of the two images, I assert that the Amitabha Buddha sculpture actually held a higher rank and greater significance than the Maitreya Bodhisattva sculpture. In the third section, for the first time, I provide a new interpretation of two previously undeciphered characters from the inscriptions. In addition, by comparing the sentence structures from the respective inscriptions and revising the current understanding of the author (chanja) and calligrapher (seoja), I elucidate the possible meaning of some ambiguous phrases. Finally, in the fourth section, I reexamine the content of both inscriptions, differentiating between the parts relating to the patron (josangju), the dedication (josang), and the prayers of the patrons or donors (balwon). In particular, I argue that the phrase "for my deceased parents" is not merely a general axiom, but a specific reference. To summarize, the dedicatory inscriptions can be interpreted as follows: when Kim Jiseong's parents died, they were cremated and he scattered most of their remains by the East Sea. But years later, he regretted having no physical memorial of them to which to pay his respects. Thus, in his later years, he donated his estate on Gamsan as alms and led the construction of Gamsansa Temple. He then commissioned the production of the two stone sculptures of Amitabha Buddha and Maitreya Bodhisattva for the temple, asking that they be sculpted realistically to reflect the actual appearance of his parents. Finally, he enshrined the remains of his parents in the sculptures through the hole in the back of the head (jeonghyeol). The Maitreya Bodhisattva is a standing image with a nirmanakaya, or "transformation Buddha," on the crown. As various art historians have pointed out, this iconography is virtually unprecedented among Maitreya images in East Asian Buddhist sculpture, leading some to speculate that the standing image is actually the Avalokitesvara. However, anyone who reads the dedicatory inscription can have no doubt that this image is in fact the Maitreya. To ensure that the sculpture properly embodied his mother (who wished to be reborn in Tushita Heaven with Maitreya Bodhisattva), Kim Jiseong combined the iconography of the Maitreya and Avalokitesvara (the reincarnation of compassion). Hence, Kim Jiseong's deep love for his mother motivated him to modify the conventional iconography of the Maitreya and Avalokitesvara. A similar sentiment can be found in the sculpture of Amitabha Buddha. To this day, any visitor to the temple who first looks at the sculptures from the front before reading the text on the back will be deeply touched by the filial love of Kim Jiseong, who truly cherished the memory of his parents.

• 방재와보험
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• s.112
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• pp.68-69
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• 2006

이번 탐방은 한려수도 내에 국내 최초의 육.해상 종합 휴양지인 경남 통영의 '금호 충무마리나 리조트'를 방문하였다. 이곳은 미륵도 관광특구 내에 자리 잡고 있어 요트나 유람선을 타고 인근의 거제도와 비진도, 욕지도, 연화도 등의 섬을 돌아볼 수 있으며, 주변 바닷가와 추도, 연대도, 투미도 등지에서는 바다낚시와 사냥도 즐길 수 있다. 특히, 주변에 세병관, 충렬사, 충무공유적지, 한산도, 거제도 등 관광지가 많아 한국의 나폴리로 불릴 정도로 빼어난 경관을 자랑하고 있다.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.47
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• pp.241-279
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• 2023

The Scripture of Myriad Laws was first published in 1986 and then reprinted in 1994 and 1995. It gained widespread recognition as a mysterious text or a Buddhist document containing enigmatic content that deemed difficult to comprehend. Through the analysis of the content of The Scripture of Myriad Laws, it was revealed that the book was published by the Dragon Flower Order, a Jeungsanist religion founded by Seo Baek-Il (徐白一). Therefore, the various texts included in The Scripture of Myriad Laws can be classified as 'Songs of Jeungsanism' (Jeungsan-gyo Gasa 甑山敎歌辭). The contents included in The Scripture of Myriad Laws often mention terms unique to the Jeungsanist orders, such as 'the Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth' (天地公事), 'presiding over cures' (醫統), 'Degree Number' (度數), 'the West God' (西神), 'the nobility of heaven' (天尊), 'the nobility of earth' (地尊), 'the nobility of humanity' (人尊), 'ruling the world for 50 years' (治天下五十年), and 'the era of Resolving Grievances (解冤時代).' It also discusses the birthplace and birth date of Kang Jeungsan, his family name, and the duration of his existence. The contents directly quote the words spoken by Jeungsan and incorporate them into songs. They also mention unique Jeungsan terms such as 'Five Immortals Playing Baduk' (五仙圍碁), 'open-weight wresting match,' 'birth, growth, harvest, and storage' (生長斂藏), 'the god who listens to words' (言聽神), 'pillar of foundation' (基礎棟樑),' 'Ocean Seal' (海印), and 'the higher gods' (上計神). It is also notable that some verses of Chinese poetry that Jeungsan taught his disciples are directly quoted in this scripture. Furthermore, the scripture shows traces of Buddhist salvational beliefs; particularly those that emphasize faith in Maitreya Bodhisattva (彌勒信仰). However, The Scripture of Myriad Laws differs from traditional Buddhist beliefs in that it anticipates and emphasizes the birth of a specific individual endowed with the power and abilities of Maitreya Buddha. While emphasizing Maitreya Buddha (彌勒世尊) and the Dragon Flower Gathering (龍華會上), the scripture also specifically mentions Geumsan-sa Temple (金山寺) located on Mount Moak (母岳山) in North Jeolla Province, and these details are sung about in a special manner. This positive portrayal serves to affirm the belief of followers that Jeungsan, centered around Geumsan-sa Temple, was an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha. Moreover, The Scripture of Myriad Laws subtly asserts that Seo Baek-il, the leader of the Dragon Flower Order, who is mentioned in the scripture, is the absolute savior who has come to this world in place of Jeungsan. In support of this teaching, his birth date, birthplace, years of imprisonment, release date, and honorific name (號) are all recorded in precise detail.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.445-458
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• 2010

The deterioration and structural damage such as exfoliation, cracks, and separation of painted layer on the wall paintings of Maitreya Hall in Geumsan-sa temple have been accelerated since it was re-positioned to the original place after the dismantling from the building in 1993. The examination of which result and analysis described in this study, is a preliminary survey for establishing conservation plan of the wall paintings. It aimed at the understanding of the physical and chemical characteristics of the materials applied in the 1993 conservation. The research focused on the south walls which displayed the worst condition compared to other walls. Samples for the examination for the understanding of micro-structure, chemical composition, cristalisation, and particle distribution, were collected for finishing, middle, and consolidated layers of the walls between pillars and the ones between brackets. Those samples were collected from separated fragments of the walls. The sample analysis displayed that: 1. the 1993 conservation used the similar type of weathered soil as the original for the finishing layer, and such soil and sand for the middle layer; 2. those walls are composed of a group of mineral particles which are relatively equal in size and shape and in their distribution; 3. the mineral particles were cohered forming solid aggregate due to the application of acrylic resin for the reinforcement on the wall. The main composition of crystalisation on the first and the second reinforcement layers of the back walls were lime plaster ($CaSO_4{\cdot}2H_2O$). The overall examination confirmed that the priority of the future conservation treatment should be given to the removal of the first and the second layers of reinforcement and the treatment on the back walls which were partially consolidated.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.88-109
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• 2017

As the technique to remove Paraloid B-72, which is known as an irreversible material, the method using organic solvent and heating, though the ways vary depending on the kind of material to be removed, has been usually used, but it has yet to apply to mud mural because of the technical limit in processing and the potential risk of damage and, moreover, the removal efficiency which also remains unproven. Thus, in a bid to seek the way to safely remove Paraloid B-72 contained in mural, the test was conducted in a way of applying a compress method, which is deemed most efficient. The solvents which are proven to be Paraloid B-72 were applied to the absorbents such as active carbon fiber and methyl cellulose and then were eluted to the surface of mud mural sample which was prepared in the same size and condition for a certain time before evaluating the stability and removal efficiency. Such test was intended to identify the applicability to the mural of Mireukjeon Hall at Geunsansa Temple, which had been treated with Paraloid B-72 for preservation in the past. As a result, the way of mixing the absorbent such as active carbon fiber and Xylene alone or with other quick vaporable solvents proved to be most efficient in removing Paraloid B-72 from mud mural and particularly Acetone:Xylene(1:1wt%) was found to be the most stable among others. Such a test outcome is expected to be a useful data for removing Paraloid B-72 from the mural of Mireukjeon Hall at Geunsansa Temple as well as for restoring other mural cultural assets in the coming days.

• TTA Journal
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• s.152
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• pp.52-53
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• 2014

우리 주변에는 세월의 무게를 견디지 못하고 나날이 훼손되어 가는 문화재가 많다. 온도변화에 따른 팽창계수의 차이나 풍화작용 등으로 유물 일부가 떨어져 나가고, 표면의 균열 부분으로 물이 스며들면서 얼어붙었던 부분이 녹아 구조 불균형이 발생하기도 한다. 또 산성비나 대기오염과 같은 환경오염으로 산화 문제가 발생하는가 하면, 비둘기 등 조류 배설물이나 세균류 지의류 이끼류 같은 생물학적 요인으로 파손되기도 한다. 종교나 예술 활동에 따른 인위적인 훼손(반달리즘, Vandalism)도 일어난다. 자연재해로 어쩔 수 없이 사라지는 문화재도 있다. 불에 타 한 줌의 재로 변한 양양의 낙산사가 그 대표적인 예다. 낙산사는 8년 7개월의 복원 작업을 거쳐 되살아났다. 그래도 '낙산사'하면 '불'이 먼저 떠오르는 것은 천년고찰의 화재가 우리에게 상처로 남아 있기 때문이 아닐까. 한편 어렵게 발굴했지만 이미 때를 놓쳐 위기에 처한 소중한 문화재도 있다. 2009년에 발굴된 전북 익산시 미륵사지 석탑의 사리장엄구(사리를 봉안하는 일체의 장치)에 들어 있던 유리병은, 오랜 세월 공기 속의 수분이 풍화작용을 일으켜 두께가 얇아진 데다 0.04mm라는 수백 개의 미세한 조각으로 부서져 복원이 어려운 상태이다. 워낙 두께가 얇아진 탓에 살짝만 압력을 받아도 부서지기 쉬워 접합 자체가 불가능하다.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.295-310
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• 2010

Since wall paintings in Maitreya Hall of Geumsan-sa temple had displayed a serious state of damage and deterioration, a detailed examination such as structural analysis of the wall, cause of damage, and the state of deterioration have been thoroughly conducted before the conservation treatment has commenced. The most seriously deteriorated part of the wall paintings was the south wall of the building in particular in its painted and surface layer. The painted layer had formed its own layer of thick, which has been separation from the surface layer. As such problem developed the whole surface layer has been separated from the wall. The problem has been caused by two reasons: 1. the heavy weight of the roof section and it caused cracks and damage on the wall; 2. the loss of function of consolidating material and it caused discolouring and the separation of surface layer from the wall. The cause of damage on the painted and surface layers can be assumed in two ways: 1. its surrounding environment such as the change of temperature and humidity level and ultraviolet rays ; 2. the loss of mechanical function of consolidating material, synthetic resin which had been applied in the past conservation treatment. The separation of layers from the wall and cracks was caused by the mistake in choosing an applicable consolidating material and dismantling technique which had ignored a different characteristic of the wall painting of Korean buddhist temples.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.154-169
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• 2009

Korea is famous for a number of stone pagodas. In particular, it is noticeable that the stone pagodas came after wooden pagodas in all the Kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. Since the advent of wooden pagodas, it was during the latter half period of Three Kingdoms(especially, in the early Seventh century) that the first stone pagoda appeared at Mireuksa Temple site in imitation of the wooden ones. Now that no one can deny that Korean stone pagodas have developed, imitating the wooden pagodas. It is also obvious that the Stone Pagoda at Mireuksa site is the prototype of Korean stone pagodas. However, this study casts doubt on the theory that the stone pagodas in the Silla Kingdom originated not from the wooden pagodas, but from the brick pagodas, whereas the stone pagodas in Baekje Kingdom which has been said to come from the wooden ones. The fact that the temples and pagodas in both Baekje and Silla were erected by the same builders and technicians is one of the evidences supporting the assertion of the study. This study, accordingly, examines on the origin of the Silla pagodas by supposing the two genealogies. The first one can be summarized in chronological order as follows: starting from wooden pagodas, Stone Pagoda at Mireuksa site, Stone Pagoda at Jungrimsa site, Stone Pagoda at Gameunsa site, and Stone Pagoda at Goseonsa site. The second one, on the other hand, runs as follows: starting from bick pagodas, Stone Pagoda at Bunhwangsa, Uiseong Tapri five-storied Stone Pagoda, Seonsan Jukjang-ri five-storied Stone Pagoda, and Seonsan Naksan-ri three-storied Stone Pagoda in order. As the above genealogies show, the origin of the stone pagodas has been an controversy, especially because of the two different points of view: the one is that the roof-supporting strata(Okgaesuk-Bachim) originated from the brick structure and the ancient tomb ceiling of Goguryeo Kingdom, and the other is that the strata is a sort of the simplified design of the wooden roof structure. This study, however, takes note of the difference in length of the strata between the brick pagodas and the stone pagodas; the former stretches out its strata longer than the latter. Consequently, the study points out that the roof-supporting strata of the stone pagodas is originally a sort of modification of the wooden roof structure.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.170-193
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• 2021

In this article, I examine the transformation of the Iksan Royal Palace into a temple. And it was considered to mean a change in the way Iksan was managed by Baekje. The Iksan Royal Palace was converted into a temple between the establishment of Mireuksa Temple and Stone Pagoda. As a result, the transfer of the capital to Iksan was not achieved, and Iksan was transformed into a temple-centered city. In connection with this, the need to re-establishment the urban system in Sabi was increased, as it suffered a great flood in the Muwang era. As a result, the scope of the royal palace was expanded, the secondary palace was built, and the urban district was expanded throughout the capital city. It is presumed that King Mu gave a divine nature to Iksan and discriminated against Sabi. Accordingly, it is believed that the King Mu or King Uija stopped developing the city in Iksan and focused on the rearrangement of Sabi.