• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.16
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• pp.138-153
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• 2015

Wooden standing Bodhisattva in the collection of the National Museum of Korea (Bon 8239) was purchased as part of the museum's Central Asian collection during the Museum of Japanese Goverment General of Korea. The wooden statue exhibiting classical characteristics of Song Dynasty Buddhist sculptures is colored on the whone. The result of condition check for exhibition in 2014, it has severely damaged, with discoloring and exfoliation in color pigment and crack of wood observed in various areas. The object was therefore treated for conservation. A series of analysis were performed also at this time to determine the production technique and the materials, including testing of the X-ray penetration depth, X-ray fluorescence analysis and wood species analysis. This revealed that the statue was made by joining several separate pieces of wood. As for color pigments, the white pigment was either chalk (CaCO₃) or gypsum(CaSO₄·2H₂O), and the green pigment was emerald green (Cu(C₂H₃O₂)₂·3Cu(AsO₂)₂). The red pigment appeared to be lead red(Pb₃O₄) and the blue pigment was ultramarine blue (3Na₂O·3Al₂O₃·6SiO₂·2Na₂S). All the pigments were repainted in later eras. The analysis, indicated that the wood was derived from a tree of the genus Populus, family Salicaceae. The wooden standing Bodhisattva was repaired and reinforced with natural materials and was brought to a stable condition necessary for display.

• Journal of Science of Art and Design
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.61-86
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• 2008

Buddhism and Buddhist art originated in India, but when they were introduced to different countries, they created an international environment. Buddhism was introduced as cultural package, with written texts, visual images, rituals, and the organization of monasteries. Buddhist art originated in India during the reign of King Asoka and then was developed under the political, intellectual, artistic, religious, social and natural environments of the regions. The stupa and the chaitya halls create monastic environment. The natural environment of the trade routes and caravans in the Central Asian deserts preserved brilliant-colored murals and helped spread tram India to China. When Buddhism and Buddhist art were introduced to China, Korea, and Japan, Buddhism became a part of government institution and social organization. Gigantic statues were carved in caves in mountains for political purposes. The Chinese transformed the stupa into a square pillar and created pagodas with tiled roofs in tower forms. Koreans not only transmitted the Buddhist art from China to Japan, but it also changed it with originality in the iconography of the pensive bodhisattva images and in the architecture of Seoggulam. The official ideology of Neo Confucian philosophy brought the rise of Chan Buddhism. Zen monasteries in Japan created unique environments by establishing the Zen Buddhist garden. to prompt believers to meditate. An important development in Buddhist art is the Esoteric Buddhist art in China and Tibet. This category belongs to the intellectual, religious as well as artistic environments. The Tibetan deities with consorts in their embrace symbolize the union of the god and the devotees. Buddhist art created a unique environment that was spread out to many nations and changed greatly over time.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.78-89
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• 2013

For safe conservation treatment of damaged accessory relics that were unearthed, the quality of the material should be accurately identified through a nondestructive analysis and failure analysis. This study provides the basic conservational scientific data regarding material analyses and conservation treatment that were conducted for 11 relics, including amber and agate that were discovered during the repair of Geumsansa Temple's Hall of Maitreya Buddha and Left Attendant Buddhas in June 2008. An ultraviolet analysis, SEM-EDS analysis and FT-IR microscope analysis revealed that the physical and chemical characteristics of the 11 relics are the same as those of amber. It is inferred that the cracks and exfoliation of the surface of most amber relics is attributable to darkening of the color due to C=C bond oxidation. It is also assumed that cracks and exfoliation occurred from the weathered layer on the amber surface. As such, it is appropriate to engage in conservation treatment of the damaged amber relics by using $Paraloid^{(R)}$ B67 reinforcing agent that is diluted in nonpolar solvent. The greatest care is needed for future handling of organic artifacts.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.104-135
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• 2016

This paper aims to consider history and value of the Mingshansi Grottoes, a complex of Buddhist rock sculptures in Anyue County, Sichuan Province, China. Mingshansi Shiku, not that far from Baodingshan Grottoes at Dazu District, Chongqing City, is an important art work of Liu Benzun sect. Even though there are not many niches and sculptures in the Mingshansi Shiku, it was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level due to its large scale and highly valued art works in it. In the Mingshansi Grottoes there is not any information inscribed on the rockface about when the grottoes were established. Because a stone pagoda, which had information about when and by whom they were established, was collapsed, some scholars considered them to be made in North Song or early Southern Song Dynasties based only on the artistic style of sculptures of the grottoes. The School of Archaeology and Museology at Peking University recently carried out a survey documenting the Mingshansi Grottoes, and thereby the school gives an important material for studying the grottoes. The grottoes consist of a Dharma-protection Warrior niche, a statue of Guanyin and Dashizhi seated together, a standing Mahavairocana statue, a standing Manjushuri statue, a standing Wenshu and Puxian statue, a Turning Dharma-wheel pagoda (轉法輪塔 Zhuanfalunta) of Zhao Zhifeng, the founder of Liu Benzun sect. These statues are considered to be produced by an overall master plan in the Middle or Late Period of the Southern Song. The Shiku is believed to be a site at which Zhao Zhifeng performed some Buddhist rites such as Water and Land Rituals (水陸法會 Shuilufahui). Income of the ritual was also a major part of the funding for establishing large-scale Baoding Shiku at Dazu District, Chongqing City.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.46-65
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• 2014

This study, under the title of Daeungbojeon Hall of Bulyeongsa Temple, Uljin and the architectural technique of the architect, aimed to make a comprehensive speculation on Daeungbojeon Hall of Bulyeongsa Temple whose accurate construction year was confirmed in 1725. While existing studies dealt with it separately between construction and Buddhist art history this study attempted to sort out it in one perspective by means of comparison with compatible objects in the area. The results are as follows. 1st, by means of comparison of wall painting of Daeungbojeon Hall of Bulyeongsa Temple and other wall paintings of Gyeongsang-do Province, it was estimated to be created before and after 1725, the founding year of the building. 2nd, the stylobate of Daeungbojeon Hall is the only and unique case that Guibu was supported by the bottom. Such stylobate was estimated to be built in the early period of Goryeo stylobate of PostLintel Construction which was more simplified than that of the traditional unified Silla period considering specific techniques. Lastly, by means of comparison of the architectural technique of Daeungbojeon Hall of Bulyeongsa Temple with other temples in Gyeongsang-do Province, the characteristics of the building were found. In particular, the same architectural technique was confirmed by direct comparison of style with Yeongsanjeon Hall of Tongdosa Temple in 1714 which was constructed by the same architect.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.45
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• pp.1-35
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• 2023

This study aims at determining the meaning of Life in The Canonical Scripture of the Daesoon Thought upon the ontological bases of occidental philosophies; especially upon those of Plato and Bergson. In western philosophy, the word ontology designates investigating the meanings of being, which is derived from the Greek 'onto (being)' and 'logia (logical discourse).' The various meanings of life have been sought from ancient times all over the world, for these are the critical and vital questions that pertain to the nature of human existence. Plato had asserted that life, in his word, soul, had three different kinds of aspects of meaning. Immortal, reciprocal, and divine. Plato scheme was such that the soul could die, but after death it could became reborn into another various forms of living creatures. The real inner life of humans, the soul, would live eternally. Henri-Louis Bergson, a famous French philosopher from the 20^th century, claimed that life had three different kinds of aspects. Self-identity, Élan vital (vital impetus) and liberty. Bergson insisted especially the real meaning of life had been characterized by "unité multiple et multiplicitéune," "unity as something multiple and multiplicity something singular." The meaning of life in Daesoon Thought could be said to have three different characteristics, solidarity, earthly immortality and grievance-resolution. Some similarities can be found between certain western ontological meanings of life and those of Daesoon Thought. Namely, the qualities of eternity, reciprocity, and divinity.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.29
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• pp.153-162
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• 2023

Clay figure of Baekje, produced by forming and molding various shapes using clay, are mainly excavated from temple sites and provide essential information for studying the Buddhist art of Baekje. Research on clay figures of Baekje primarily focuses on the characteristics of Baekje-era temples in which such figures are excavated, as well as the role and production techniques of clay figures, by comparing regional and morphological characteristics. In particular, research on the manufacturing method of clay figures is mainly carried out by visual observation, whereas precise scientific analysis is required to understand production techniques and characteristics of raw materials in greater detail. In this study, to confirm such production techniques and material characteristics, computed tomography (CT) scans were conducted on the Clay Bodhisattva excavated from the Neungsan-ri Temple site in Buyeo. As a result, it was found that the Clay Bodhisattva was made using a cylindrical core of fine clay, tied together with several thin branches or reeds with straws. The clay used in the figure bore traces indicating the presence of herbaceous plants, which increase adhesion between clay and prevent cracks in the contraction process. On the other hand, the density of the fine clay differs on the inside and outside of the clay figure. Based on this, it is presumed that the clay was applied around the cylindrical core to shape the Clay Bodhisattva. The clay was reapplied on top of the figure to express the detailed shape and pattern.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.224-243
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• 2020

The rock-cut relief of two Buddhas seated side-by-side in Wonpungri is a large Buddha sculpture in relief on the side of a cliff in Wonpung-ri, Goesan. This Buddha sculpture is from the Buddhist scripture Sutra of the Lotus. <法華經> Two seated Buddhas statues were prevalent in the Balhae Kingdom, but this was not popular in Silla and Goryeo. In the main text, the time that the two seated Buddhas in Wonpung-ri was created is identified as being during the 10th century. King Gwangjong created a Buddha statue for political purposes. The relief of two seated Buddha image carved on a cliff is located on an important traffic route over the Sobaek Mountain Range. After King Gwangjong took the throne, he paid close attention to the reigning powers of Jincheon and Cheongju because the people of Jincheon and Cheongju were engaged in a power struggle against Gwangjong. The huge relief of two seated Buddhas statue shows the authority of King Gwangjong. In particular, the people of Jincheon and Cheongju had to see this Buddha statue when crossing the Sobaek Mountain Range. The image contained in the relief of the two seated Buddhas features many characteristics of the sculpture style of the Balhae Kingdom. After the fall of Balhae, many of the Balhae people settled in Mungyeong. Balhae people from Mungyeong participated in the production of the relief of the two seated Buddhas. Through the relief of the two seated Buddhas, King Gwangjong wanted to show the people of Jincheon and Cheongju that the Balhae people were supporting him. The relief of two seated Buddhas reflects the historical situation of the King Gwangjong era in the late 10^th century and the style of sculpture.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.113-121
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• 2010

Shumi-sen(須彌山), built by Nohjagong(路子工) in the southern garden of the Palace Garden during the Asuka Period, is understood as being Sumeru based on an Indian perspective of the theory of the origin of universe. It is also viewed as Mt. Myogoh from a Chinese Buddhist worldview. It is thought to be a type of assembled stone structure with Poong-ryoon (風輪)-Su-ryoon(水輪)-Geum-ryoon(金輪)-Ji-ryoon(地輪) carved into each of the 4 stone pieces. These building shapes are thought to have been utilized as stone for exterior construction as opposed to those structures built during the Shilla Period of China and Korea. Aside from Nohjagong's record of Shumi-sen, most of the records from Japan's period of the time suggest that Shumi-sen was an important element that played a role in the scenery of the seasonal outdoor gardens. It is also thought, from the sentences and expressions surrounding the records, that a combination of the seasonal sceneries was utilized centered on Shumi-sen, and that they were all used during festival events. From a perspective of analysis and interpretation dependent on the limited literature and on observation, it cannot be verified whether the Mt. Sumeru Stone(須彌山石) excavated from the Stone God Ruins is the same Shumi-sen that Nohjagong built along with Okyo(吳橋), but it is thought that the 'Shumi-sen type stone structure' that was later built repeatedly as part of the palace garden facilities is identical to the Shumi-sen built at the Imperial Palace's southern garden, or at least a re-built structure based on the Shumi-sen that Nohjagong built with stones and ponds used to create the foundation. Thus, Shumi-sen that Nohjagong supposedly built along with Okyo is suspected to be a figurative rock arrangement and, at the same time, a miniaturized scenic rock arrangement(縮景樹石) that maximized the shape of Buddhism's Shumi-sen. On the other hand, the surface pattern on Mt. Sumeru Stone is very similar to the multi -layers of mountainous pattern icons expressed in the patterns of the Great Golden Incense Burner(百濟金銅大香爐) or Mountain-Water Scenery Sculptural Brick(山水山景紋?) that were built during the Baekjae pcriod aod the rear side of Hwalsuk-jebul Basal Byungipsang(滑石諸佛菩薩竝立像); it is suspected that similar patterns would have been used if patterns were made on Shumi-sen that Nohjagong built. Also in consideration of the physical theory of MI. Sumeru Stone, the Siphon theory of using a pressure difference in water level was applied to the fountain facilities of Mt. Sumeru Stone that seemed to have been built from the practical rock arrangement perspective for the purpose of feasts, etc.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.190-205
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• 2016

Buddhist stupas, which are a symbolic architecture of Buddhism and enshrine the Jinsinsari of Buddha, were reinvented as stone stupas appropriate for the natural soil of Korea from existing wooden stupas around the 7th century after the introduction of Buddhism. Later, the construction of a stone stupa was expanded to local areas from the central area around the 9th century; thus, stone stupas of more diverse local colors were built in a nationwide scale, and today it is called a "country of stone stupas". While focusing on the stylistic interchanges between stone stupas, which were established in each region in accordance with the localization of the establishment of stone stupas that was begun actively from the 9th century, this paper selected several cases of stone stupas among about 50 stone stupas in the Gangwondo-region. First, the study compared the stone stupas and Buddhist priest tower of Seollimwonji, Jinjeonsaji, and Geodonsaji, which are located at the same temple site as the current Buddhist priest tower, from among typical Silla style stupas that match the 9 stone stupas in the Gangwon-do region. This is because stylistic interchanges were possible while there were mutually organic relationships between Buddhist statues such as stone stupas, Buddhist priest towers, stone lanterns, and Buddhist pedestals, which used the same stone material along with the expansion of Buddhism to local areas in accordance with the spread of Zen Buddhism in the 9th century. Second, a comparison was made of the stylistic similarities between the Woljeongsa Palgakgucheong (eight sides nine-storied) stone stupa and the Sinboksaji Samcheung (three-storied) stone stupa, which are totally different in regard to the number of stories and the flat form. These two stone stupas are representative Goryeo stone stupas. The Woljeongsa stone stupa is a Goguryeo-oriented stone stupa with many sided multiple stories whereas the Sinboksaji stone stupa has been known as an early case of the insertion of the support of Tapsin in each story. Although the two stone stupas may look very different, but through close investigation it was confirmed that there were many stylistic interchanges between them and not only the seated stone Buddha statue in the cylinder jewel case in front of the stupa but also the stone stupa established by the same master. Consequently, this paper aimed not merely to mention the simple patterns of stone stupas, but, further, to trace the interchange in patterns in accordance with the construction period based on those patterns.