Josa-sang, Including the Character of Heerang, Promoted to National Treasure Status

'10th Century Early Period Made Hapcheon Haeinsa Gunchil Heerang Daesajwasang'
Heerang Daesa Who Helped Taejo Wang Geon Unify the Later Three Kingdoms
Front Carving Applied Gunchil "Realistic Reproduction... Outstanding Artistic Value"

The Ganchil Heirang Daesa Seated Statue (陜川 海印寺 乾漆希朗大師坐像·Treasure No. 999) at Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, sculpted in the likeness of a high monk (高僧) from the Goryeo period, has been elevated to the status of a National Treasure. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 21st that this cultural asset has been designated as a National Treasure. It is a work sculpted in the likeness of Heirang Daesa (希朗大師), a monk active from the late Silla to early Goryeo period. It is estimated to have been created in the early 10th century.

According to the 'Yugayagi (游加耶記)' written by the late Joseon scholar Yu Cheok-gi, Heirang Daesa was a learned monk deeply versed in Huayan Buddhism (華嚴學). He resided at Hwarangdae Hall of Haeinsa Temple, devoted himself to ascetic practice, and assisted Taejo Wang Geon in the unification of the Later Three Kingdoms. Wang Geon expressed his gratitude by granting land necessary for the reconstruction of Haeinsa Temple and stored important Goryeo documents there.

During a similar period, many sculptures of actual living high monks were produced in China and Japan. In Korea, the Ganchil Heirang Daesa Seated Statue is unique. According to Joseon historical records, it was enshrined at Haeinsa Temple for several centuries, passing through Haehaengdang (解行堂), Jinsangjeon (眞常殿), Josajeon (祖師殿), and Bojangjeon (寶藏殿). The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "Visit records by late Joseon scholars such as Lee Deok-mu’s 'Gayasan-gi (伽倻山記)' add credibility to the transmission history."

According to an investigation by the Conservation Science Research Division of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, the front carvings of the Ganchil Heirang Daesa Seated Statue?face, chest, hands, knees?are made using the ganchil (乾漆) technique. Lacquer was applied multiple times over a core to form the shape. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "It is a technique that requires a long time and great dedication to complete." The back and base were made by assembling wood. The Administration noted, "The method of joining the front and back is found in Buddhist sculptures from the late Silla to early Goryeo periods," citing the 'Bonghwa Cheongnyangsa Ganchil Yaksa Yeorae Seated Statue (Treasure No. 1919)' as a representative example.

The Ganchil Heirang Daesa Seated Statue is evaluated as a realistic work, naturally expressing the curves of the body and skin. Its modest life-size figure, gentle gaze, lips faintly spreading a smile, and the skeletal structure visible beneath aged skin all vividly evoke the living appearance of Heirang Daesa. Another distinctive feature is the 'chungyeolgugin (胸穴國人; person with a hole in the chest)'. There is a hole in the chest measuring 0.5 cm in width and 3.5 cm in length.

The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "According to Haeinsa Temple folklore, Heirang Daesa pierced a small hole in his chest to donate blood to help other monks in their ascetic practice," but also explained, "The chest hole or crown hole (頂穴; hole on the crown of the head) of a high monk usually symbolizes supernatural power. This feature is also found in the 'Seoul Seunggasa Stone Seungga Daesa Seated Statue (Treasure No. 1000)'." They added, "It is the only monk statue in Korea with both documentary and extant works preserved. Its original form is well maintained, and its realistic reproduction expresses even the inner character, making its artistic value outstanding."