• MISULJARYO - National Museum of Korea Art Journal
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• v.100
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• pp.22-49
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• 2021

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.

• 보존과학연구
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• s.25
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• pp.93-117
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• 2004

The stone cultural properties durability is the falling. So the conservation is easy relatively. But the conservation countermeasure of the stone cultural properties the environment pollution needed urgently as extreme. I will find out about the stone cultural properties Through the example of Restoration and conservation treatment about Bowonsabeobin-guksaboseungtap in the paper. Damage reasons of the stone cultural properties are a physical damage, a structural damage, a biology damage, a chemical damage and artificial damage. The moisture plays especially the role which damage is make the stone cultural properties. The stone cultural properties is damaged due to damage reasons. So we investigate the stone cultural properties and must remove damage reasons. Bowonsabeobin-guksaboseungtap is funerary stupa of buddhist monk with circleorientedoctagon in Geryeo Period. There is the open air. Parts of it were damaged by grave robbery in 2004. So restoration was begun in 2004.While restoring it, wrong arrangement on top of the monk-stupa was rearranged. After being arranged in right order, the middle of monk-stupa was fixed by setting up stainlesssteel shaft. A roof stone of stupa finial has cracks. So It was adhered with epoxy resin(L-30) and was washed with distilled water for pollution clearing. The stone cultural properties takes the influence of the environment pollution much because it stays at the fields. It is easy also to be robed. Therefore we must watch more with the concern.