[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Gounsa Temple is holding a special exhibition titled "Deungunsan (謄雲山), Gounsa (孤雲寺)" until the 27th on the first floor of the Buddhist Central Museum, showcasing carefully selected sacred treasures. The exhibition aims to highlight the cultural value of nationally designated cultural heritage-level sacred treasures that have been fully preserved and passed down at Gounsa, and to explore the Buddhist culture of northern Yeongnam, including Bongjeongsa and Buseoksa, which are registered as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Starting from the 1st, the "Bonghwa Chukseosa Gwaebul" (Treasure) will be displayed for one month. Gwaebul is a large Buddhist painting used in outdoor temple ceremonies and is an important sacred treasure for understanding Buddhist culture. This exhibition is exceptional as public display has been minimized for preservation purposes.
The "Bonghwa Chukseosa Gwaebul," created in 1768, is a large-scale Buddhist painting measuring 894 cm in height and 509 cm in width. Centered on Buddha Shakyamuni, the background is filled with rising clouds, maximizing the auspicious appearance of the Buddha descending upon the Dharma seat.
The inscription (畵記) on the "Bonghwa Chukseosa Gwaebul" records that ten monks, including Monk Jeongil (?一), Monk Nakseon (?先), and Monk Ilseong (一成), began the Buddhist painting project on March 14, 1768, painted the Gwaebul over 25 days, and performed the eye-opening and enshrinement ceremonies at Chukseosa Daejeokgwangjeon on Buddha’s Birthday in April.
This exhibition also features, for the first time together, the "Andong Bogwangsa Wooden Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue" (Treasure) and the "Andong Bongjeongsa Wooden Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Statue" (Treasure), symbolizing the aristocratic Buddhist culture of the Goryeo Dynasty.
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