• Journal of architectural history
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.47-66
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• 2007

$Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ are understood as the deities of four directions in Buddhism: $Dhrtar{\bar{a}}stra$ in the East, $Vir{\bar{u}}dhaka$ in the South, $Vir{\bar{u}}p{\bar{a}}ksa$ in the West and $Vai{\acute{s}}ravana$ in the North respectively. Their common name is, therefore, called as the "Four Guardian Kings", whose function is to prevent demonic forces from entering into its sacred world. Although the position of $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ is to the lowest level in the hierarchy of the minor deities in Buddhism, the cult of $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ was widely spread and prominent in the countries of Northern Buddhism. It played a significant role in terms of the state-protecting Buddhism, on behalf of it's esoteric and magic power. More than 20 Gateways of the $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ and $Lokap{\bar{a}}la$ statues were still well preserved in Korea, and they were believed to be constructed after the Japanese attack in 1592. After war, monks had concentrated on restoring ruined temples and building many new Gateways of the Four Guardian Kings over the Korean peninsular. Under such circumstances, even though the $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ played a significant role as the subject of cult in Korean Buddhism. they might have a small chance to be taught traditional Lama iconography exactly. The purpose of this essay is to examine the relation of orientation of the Gate way of $Lokap{\bar{a}}las$ and allocation of each Kings inside the gate.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2017

The stone lantern of the four guardian kings in the Beopjusa temple at Boeun was mainly made of biotite granodiorite consisting of porphyritic-textured potassium feldspar and included in ilmenite series. A base stone made of alkali granite was buried, after founded its place during an earlier restoration process. Cracking and break out are noticeable on this object. In addition, discoloration, salt crusting, and epiphytes were observed. The lantern was vulnerable in terms of physical and structural stability caused by cracking in the front and back of the light chamber and in the non-horizontal direction. According to the conservational condition of the stone lantern, structural reinforcement was carried out based on calculations, including those on the position, size, and anchor length of the titanium stiffener. Chemical and biological pollutants were washed off without damage to the surface of the stone material. Oxygenated iron pieces were replaced with titanium. Ethyl silicate was applied to the surface of the lantern for consolidation and smooth drainage.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.431-441
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• 2013

The aim of this study is to reinterpret the image on a Korean tradition known as Bang-wee-shin-sang (an image of direction deity), and to revive the image into Jikimee (the guardian). In particular, this research re-analyzed the image and the symbol of Bang-wee-shin-sang and effectively designed the tradition to fit the modern living space. The theoretical study is to explore why it is necessary to redesign Bang-wee-shin-sang to accommodate modern living after examining the background and origin of typical Korean traditions such as Four Deity painting, Chinese Zodiac, and Four Kings' Painting. As a previous study, we examined the procedures of making Jikimee which was based on artists' works that utilized historical artifacts. The study indicated that Bang-wee-shin-sang is a vital resource to disseminate the unique characteristics of Korea and its tradition which played a role in linking the past and the present. Consequently, it is discussed that the utilization of modernized Jikimee in smart environment must be supported by foundation of academic system, the effort of academic and research link, and government funding policy.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.64-78
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• 2023

This article examines the background and meaning of the construction of Josadang Hall in Buseoksa Temple, Yeongju, by Seolsan Cheonhee(1307~1382) in the late 14th century through the characteristics of the hall's mural. Six guardian deities(the Four Heavenly Kings in the center, Indra and Brahma on each side of the kings) are depicted on the southern wall(location of the entrance) of the Josadang, facing the statue of the great monk Uisang(625~702 AD) on the north wall. This mural is the oldest among Korean temple murals and exhibits very unique characteristics. In general, scenes from the scriptures are depicted on the back wall of the central statue. In contrast, the Josadang mural depicts only the guardian deities facing the main statue with no scene description. The appearance of the deities, who seem to protect the main statue of the monk Uisang, and their expressions, as if drawn from relief statues, are not seen in other murals. Nevertheless, it is similar to the stupas of the Seon(Ch. Chan 禪) sect monks established from the late Silla(57 BC~935 AD) through early Goryeo(918~1392 AD), with guardian deities on their surface. The iconography of the deities is a classic form of the late Silla to early Goryeo. The fact that the Josadang was built to commemorate Uisang, who founded the Korean Hwaeom sect(Ch. Huayan sect, 華嚴宗), and that guardians were placed to protect Uisang's statue reveals the concept of worship for the monk who founded the sect. As a result, the reason Cheonhee built the hall can also be understood as an extension of the ideology behind the construction of the stupas of the Seon sect monks. The problem, however, is that Cheonhee is a monk of the Hwaeom sect, and Buseoksa is a representative temple of the Hwaeom sect, not the Seon sect. Therefore, to better understand the background of the hall's construction, this article examined the situation of Goryeo Buddhism in the 14th century as well as the activities of Seolsan Cheonhee. Since Ganhwa Seon(Ch. Kanhua Chan, 看話禪) was dominant in the 14th century, Cheonhee went to study in the Yuan Dynasty(1271~1368 AD) at the age of 58 and was approved by Chinese Ganhwaseon monks before taking the position of Guksa(國師 national monk). However, he was eventually pushed to Buseoksa Temple, where he worked hard to rebuild it. Cheonhee most likely sought to expand the Hwaeom sect, which had been shrinking compared to the Seon sect, by enhancing power with the reconstruction of Buseoksa. The desire that the Hwaeom sect, which was losing its power due to the rise of the Seon sect in the 14th century, attempted to develop it by building Josadang hall, is well revealed by the Josadang murals.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.250-273
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• 2020

The three-story stone pagodas in Hyeon-ri and Hwacheon-ri,Yeongyang Gyeongsangbuk-do are stone pagodas that exhibit the typical style of Unified Silla. The two pagodas are believed to have been built in the mid- and late 9th centuries at the latest, considering the style of the three-story roof stone on top of the double-tier base. This is also confirmed by the reliefs carved at the base and the first-story of the pagoda. The Four Heavenly Kings and the Twelve Zodiacal Animal Deities were first combined in the late 8th century in the stone pagoda at the Wonwonsa Temple Site, and the Eight Classes of Divine Beings was also the most popular carved pagoda reliefs in the 9th century. However, the two Yeongyang stone pagodas are characterized by a combination of the Four Heavenly Kings (1st story), the Eight Classes (top base), and the Twelve Zodiacal Animals (lower base), and the stone used for the pagoda consists of sedimentary rocks of the sandstone family, which comprise most of the geological strata in the Yeongyang area, rather than ordinary granite. The new combinations of the three types of guardian deities and the Eight Classes changed from seated to standing poses is interpreted as an attempt to enhance the Buddhist faith and cultural status of the Yeongyang area, along with the fact that the stone pagoda was built using local natural materials. The Eight Classes of the Yeongyang stone pagoda does not follow the two types of arrangement of the pagodas with the Eight Classes, but some of the deities have been relocated to a new location. Composed of AsuraGandharva on the east side, Naga-Mahoraga on the south, Deva-Garuda on the west, and Kimnara-Yaksa on the north, this form can be classified as a unique 'third layout of the Eight Classes' in the Yeongyang area. Such changes in the shape and posture of the reliefs reflect a new perception of the pagodas. The reason why the Gandharva and Yaksa statues were carved on the east and north sides, respectively, was because they were deemed subordinate to the Four Heavenly Kings, and the fact that the Naga and the Mahoraga were carved on the south side was presumed to have influenced the geographical location of the two pagodas on the northern side of Banbyeoncheon Stream. The Hyeon-ri and Hwacheon-ri three-story stone pagodas inherited the tradition of typical Unified Silla-period pagodas, while also bearing their own new regional characteristics.