• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.240-247
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• 2018

In this paper, we implement a digital content that visualizes 33 Avalokitesvara-Bodhisattva according to the wishes of the public. The 33 Avalokitesvara-Bodhisattva is described in the Avalokitesvara-Bodhisattva tale that is found in the ancient literature "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms" as Tangible Cultural Heritage. Also, it is easily found in a wall painting of traditional Buddhist temples. The 33 Avalokitesvara-Bodhisattva is the saint of mercy that transforms into 33 various forms according to the wishes of the public. The Avalokitesvara-Bodhisattva tales deal with differences in the types of wishes of the public, and the tales have been speeded like wildfire among the people. So, in this paper, we classify them into 4 groups by the wishes (healing, security, academic achievement, disaster relief) of the public, and then analyze its symbolism and activity of the 33 Avalokitesvara-Bodhisattva. Also, we implement a 2D digital content that represents visually it according to the wishes of the public. Applications of the implemented visual content are as follows; development of character, game, and digital storytelling associated with traditional culture, education service for Buddhist doctrines, etc.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.334-346
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• 2022

The manufacturing technique was studied through the structure and material characteristics of the walls and the painting layers of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva mural of Geungnakjeon Hall, Daewonsa Temple. The mural is painted and connected to the earthen wall and the Junggit, and the wall is composed of wooden laths as a frame, the first and middle layers, the finishing layer, and the painting layer. The first layer, middle layer, and finishing layer constituting the wall were made by mixing weathered soil and sand. It was confirmed that the first layer had a high content of loess below silt, and the finishing layer had a high content of fine-sand and very fine sand. For the painting layer, a ground layer was prepared using soil-based mineral pigments, and lead white, white clay, atacamite, minium, and cinnabar (or vermilion) pigments were used on top of it. The Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva mural was confirmed to belong to a category similar to the soil-made buddhist mural paintings of Joseon Dynasty. However, it shows characteristics such as a high content of fine sand in the finishing layer and overlapping over other colors. Such material and structural characteristics can constitute important information for future mural conservation status diagnoses and conservation treatment plans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.47-58
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• 2000

Prime Minister Kim tart-song is said to have built this cave temple in the tenth year of the reign of King Kyongdok-wang(742-765) of Unified Shilla(751). The numerous stone Buddhist images in the grotto represent the best Buddhist figure of the Unified Shilla period and of all Korea. The Sokkuram Grotto is composed of the main hall, entrance to the main chamber and antechamber in space. The main hall beyond the small antechamber is round and the ceilling is domed. Within the rotunda sits a majestic Buddha(Amitabha), 3.48m in height and 2.6m in width, carved in granite and facing east. Surrounding the main Seated Buddha are eleven-headed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva and the other three Buddhist images, Ten disciples, Buddhist figures in the ten Niches in relief. An eleven-headed Avalokltesvara Bodhisattva of boundless mercy is sculptured on the wall behind the main Seated Buddha. Further guarding the Buddha are ten standing Arhans of the Disciples of Buddha. Next, two Devas. one on each side, stand guard. Two Bodhisattvas are the saints who are next to the Seated Buddha in importance, also one on each side. And, There are ten niches around the dome. They contain seven seated Bodhisattvas and one Vimalakirti(the name of a famous lay disciple of the Buddha). Two niches are empty. Consequently, there are total thirty-eight Buddhist images in the Sokkuram cave temple. The Buddhist images have been reguarded as masterpieces of Buddhist art and Shilla culture of Unified Shilla in the eightth century. The Buddhist images are represented very dear, elegance and beauty of detail skill

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.670-678
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• 2021

Anseong Cheonryongsa, a temple located in Anseong Seoun Mountain, is a part of the second Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, under the Yongju Temple, and enshrines a gilt-bronze seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. In this study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed that this statue is composed of Cu-27.2 wt%, Sn-12.6 wt% and Pb-48 wt%. A gamma (γ) ray (Ir-192) image confirmed damage on the backside of the statue, which was later repaired with wood. The XRF analysis and visual observation determined the boundary between the metal and wood in the statue. In addition, results of standard X-ray peak intensity of gold foil and correlation with thickness helped to derive an equation for calculating the thickness of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva's gold foil. It was determined that the gilded chest (21 ㎛) and face (20.7 ㎛) of the statue were the thickest sections, the wooden substratum (11.9 ㎛) was the next-most thick, and the bronze (7.4 ㎛) was the thinnest layer.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.520-528
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• 2017

In this paper, we analyze semantics on mudras of Sahasra-bhuja Avalokitesvara and implement visual content as its application. The mudras are described in the Odaejineunjib that is a tangible cultural property. The semantics analysis on the mudras are essential for understanding the meaning of the 42 Hands(mudras) that present symbolic difference of hands holding on various items. So, in this paper, we analyze the semantics on the 42 Hands according to 5 parts which are basic classification of Honored Ones on Esoteric Buddhism. We implemented a visual contents showing Avalokitesvara according to semantics on the 42 Hands. And, in the process, we are able to provide the public with easy accessibility on mudras of Sahasra-bhuja Avalokitesvara. Applications of the mudras are as follows; game contents, traditional cultural contents, etc.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.22-43
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• 2023

This paper deals with the stone standing Avalokitesvara statue in Jeonghyesa Temple that was created by Mangong in 1924. The stone standing Avalokitesvara statue of Jeonghyesa Temple is the earliest extant Buddha statue produced by Mangong, and symbolism was given to Jeonghyesa in the process of its reconstruction. So far, there has been no study that has approached ideas and beliefs through Buddhist studies led by Mangong and specific relics. In order to proceed with this study, Mangong's legal words and anecdotes and newspaper articles during the Japanese colonial era were used to trace the dynamics of Jeonghyesa and Sudeoksa during Mangong's reign, and to investigate the effects obtained from the creation of the large Bodhisattva statue and the meaning of its location. In addition, an interview was attempted with the descendants of master, who were in charge of the sculpture at the time, to confirm the exact construction period and the list of craftsmen. It is judged that the stone standing Bodhisattva statue of Gwanchoksa Temple has been influenced by the double covering and square crown seen in the standing stone statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Jeonghyesa Temple, the large hands compared to the body, the proportion between the head and the body, and the sense of enormity felt in the body like a stone pillar. Therefore, we looked at how the standing stone Bodhisattva statue of Gwanchoksa Temple, which was produced in the early Goryeo Dynasty, could have influenced the creation of the Bodhisattva statue in the modern period. A multilateral analysis was attempted on how the image of the Gwanchoksa Bodhisattva statue, which was used as a symbol representing Chungcheongnam-do in the Chosun Exposition held in 1929 and the visit to Gwanchoksa Temple, which began with the laying of the railroad during the Japanese colonial period, was used from the viewpoint of the succession and transformation of the style. With this study as an opportunity, it is hoped that the understanding of the prehistoric Mangong representing the modern period and the horizon of Korean Buddhist sculpture research in the modern period will be broadened.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.314-326
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• 2022

Investigation of conservation status, optical survey, infrared thermography, and ultrasonic examination were performed on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva mural and Buddhist Monk Bodhidharma mural to determine the conservation status and physical properties. As a result of investigation of conservation status, the types of damage are largely divided into the wall and finishing layer damage, painting layer degradation, damage due to restoration materials, stains and contamination, and biological damage. As a result of the optical survey, drawing, stains, and repainted site were confirmed. Result of the infrared thermography, the delamination of the finishing layer was confirmed, and some locations and shapes of the wooden lath inside the wall were identified. The result of the 3D scanning, the deviation, and the separation of the wall was confirmed. As a result of ultrasonic examination, it was confirmed that the physical properties of the mural were identified and the ultrasonic speed was relatively low due to physical damage such as delamination and exfoliation of the finishing layer and cracking. Ultrasonic speed values were also high in some wall cracks or delamination, and it was confirmed by the infrared thermography results that the wooden lath inside the wall was located in those parts. It was possible to understand that the wooden lath inside the walls affects the ultrasonic speed during the ultrasonic examination. Therefore, management through periodic inspection of the relevant elements is necessary, and a countermeasure for damage that may occur in the future should be prepared along with intensive monitoring of the major damage identified in this diagnosis result.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.34
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• pp.124-136
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• 2001

Among many different types of wares, we have amazing Sacred Water-pot(따르개, 注子) from Goryo-period(고리, 高麗, 918-1392). The stylistic peculiarity of Jung-Byoung(정병, 淨甁) is described in "Goryo-Dhogyoung, 고리도경, 高麗圖經", the classical design canon. It is said, "A sharpened mouth with narrow and prolonged neck is attached upon the broad mouth with thicker and even longer neck of the pot whose body intimates to the shape of melon." One could find this Jung-Byoung similar to the Indian drinking water jar, Kundika, which has been. even today, an everyday article in houses as well as in temples. In the early Buddhist cult, the object had been adopted as personal belonging of the Bodhisattvas(보살, 菩薩), especially of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara(관세음보살,觀世音菩薩). In short, the purifying character of water is met by the sacred ware to deliver the refreshing Sweet-Water(Holy-Water, 깨맑물, 단물, 단이슬물, 정수, 감로, 감로수, 성수, 淨水, 甘露, 甘露水, 聖水): For the holy purpose of fulfilling the thirst of people, of symbolozing the virtuous dharma. Thus, Ggamslkh-Byoung(깨맑병,淨水), the literal Korean name, denotes purifying and clarifying and clarifying water-pot to us. Among many other Asian countries, India, China, Korea, and Japan have a profound cult of the sacred water-pot(Ggamalkh-Byoung, Jung-Byoung, 깨맑병, 정병, 정수병, 감로병, 감로수병, 淨甁, 淨水甁, 甘露甁, 甘露水甁). Therefore, this charming holy object drew much attention not only from master artisans to shape and deliver them to people but also from painters and sculptors for their endowment of the sacred images dedicated to Buddha(부처,佛,佛陀). In China, the sacred water pot emerged in the period of Tang(당, 唐, 618~907)-Period and underwent much sophistication later on, I. e., from earthenware, ceramic-porcelain, bronze, and silver. However, the following represents a challenge to the well-known Goryo-Thangka(고리불화, 高麗佛畵) Painting of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara to our speculation on the Sacred Water-pot(정병, 淨甁). The image suggests, when examined closely, that the Sacred Water-pot has been accompanied by, or placed in, a transparent glasswere(유리그릇) or crystalbowl(수정그릇)! We have no other physical proof of the existence of such a Holding-Bowl(받침그릇, 承盤), except for in this particular painting. This Holding-Bowl would have not been a mere elaboration on the practicality of controling the drips from the mouth of the pot. As in the chapter on Tang-ho(탕호, 湯壺), or thermal bowl, in the "Goryo-Dhogyoung" it advises readers that this style of bowl is to be filled with hot water, and thus function as a preserver of heat in the water inside the pot. As an offering to the Buddha, the Sacred Water-pot could have been used for serving him hot tea. Hence the sacred bottle is to contain the refreshing water, the water transcends to nectar, and the nectar is prepared as a nectar tea to offer the Buddha. For both the Holding-Bowl of Ggamalkh-Byoung(Jung-Byoung)and the Celestial-Robe(날개옷, 天衣) of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, whose specified character is the Water-Moon(수월, 水月) in this particular Thangka(불화, 佛畵) painting, the transparency is essential. This is to refer to the purity and the lucid clarity of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and at a deeper level, to refer to the world of Buddhas-the Tushita(Paradise, Heaven, Eden, 극락, 불세계, 極樂, 佛世界). Howerver, without the discovery of an actual Holding-Bowl, accompanied by a Sacred Water-pot, such speculation will necessarily remain hypothetical. Nevertheless, there is an abundance of evidence of our ancient craftsmanship in jade and ctystal, dating back to the Bronze Age(1000~2B.C.) in Korea. By the time of the Three Kingdom-Period(삼국시대, 三國時代, 57B.C.~935A.D.), and especially the Silla(신라, 新羅, 57B.C.~935A.D.)-Empire, the jade and crystal ornamentation had become very intricate indeed. By the Goryo-Period(918~1392) and Chosun-Period(조선, 朝鮮,1392~1910),crystal-ware and jade art were popular in houses and Buddhist temples, whose master artsanship was heightened in the numerous Sarira-Cases(사리그릇, 舍利器), containing relics and placed inside Stupas(탑, 투, 搭)! Therefore, discovering a tiny part of the crystal or jade Holding-Bowl for the Sacred Water-pot and casting full light on this subject, would not be totally impossible. Lastly the present article shares the tiny hope for a sudden emergence of such a Holding-Bowl.

• 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.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.125-154
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• 2023

Historically, commerce was a significant factor in the proliferation and development of Buddhism, which is especially manifest in the cult of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. Iconographic and textual evidence testifies that maritime trade on the Indian Ocean played a fundamental role in the formation of Avalokiteśvara worship. The sea was also a major conduit through which elements of the Avalokiteśvara faith were transmitted from India through China to Korea and Japan, the easternmost ends of the Silk Road. These elements include Avalokiteśvara's role as a maritime savior, oceanic symbolism, and the concept of the bodhisattva's worldly abode, Potalaka. Cultic sites dedicated to maritime safety were established at important transport hubs in East Asia. Due to China's strategic location on the Silk Road, as well as its cultural influence, the most important cultic sites were founded in China, first on the Shandong Peninsula, then in the southern Jiangnan region, in present-day Zhejiang Province. Especially notable is the role that Korean seafarers played in this process by assisting monks in search of the Dharma, establishing temples, and transmitting religious beliefs across the ocean. The present study focuses on the role that maritime figures played in the cultural exchanges between Korea, China, and Japan examined through Avalokiteśvara faith. By this, it aims to demonstrate how Korean seafarers inherited and continued the traditional relationship between commerce and Buddhism, while extending the Maritime Silk Road to the "East Asian Mediterranean."