[News Terms] The 'Four Heavenly Kings Statue' That Became a 'Treasure'

Cultural Heritage Administration Announces Treasure Designation for Eight Four Heavenly Kings Statues
Guardians Protecting Buddha's Teachings and the Land of Buddha

'Sacheonwangsang (Four Heavenly Kings statues)' are Buddhist sculptures that embody guardian deities protecting the four directions of the universe. The 'Sacheonwang (Four Heavenly Kings)' are guardian gods who live on the mid-slope of Mount Sumeru (Sumi-san), an imaginary mountain believed to be at the center of the world in Buddhism, protecting the east, west, south, and north directions of the world, as well as safeguarding the Buddha's teachings and the Buddhist land.

They are depicted with fierce expressions, eyes wide open and mouths agape to ward off evil spirits, with one leg trampling on demons or evil spirits. They have a massive physique, wear armor, and hold objects such as a sword, a wish-fulfilling jewel, a dragon, a pagoda, or a pipa in their hands.

A photo of the Four Heavenly Kings statue at Borimsa Temple in Jangheung, Jeollanam-do, presumed to have been taken in the 1910s (Treasure No. 1254).
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

Before entering the Daeungjeon (Main Buddha Hall) where the Buddha is enshrined, one must pass through the Cheonwangmun (Heavenly Kings Gate) after passing the Iljumun (One-Pillar Gate) of a temple. The Sacheonwang statues are placed on both sides of the Cheonwangmun. Carved from materials such as clay or wood, the Sacheonwang are named according to the four cardinal directions: East - Jikukcheonwang (Guardian King of the East), West - Gwangmokcheonwang (Guardian King of the West), South - Jeungjangcheonwang (Guardian King of Growth), and North - Damuncheonwang (Guardian King of Many Hearings).

In India, there was no fixed standard for Sacheonwang statues, and they were often depicted as nobles. In Chinese Buddhism, they were established as armored warriors. In Korea, the belief in Sacheonwang was adopted around 600 CE and flourished greatly after the Unified Silla period.

Each Sacheonwang holds different symbolic objects. During the Unified Silla and Goryeo periods, they mainly held weapons such as swords, arrows, spears, and vajras. However, from the late Joseon period, they began to hold objects like the pipa, sword, dragon with a wish-fulfilling jewel, pagoda, and silver mouse. Notably, the northern Damuncheonwang always holds a pagoda.

Most Sacheonwang statues are arranged at the entrance of the Cheonwangmun with the eastern Jikukcheonwang holding a pipa placed closer to the Daeungjeon on the right side, and the southern Jeungjangcheonwang holding a sword placed near the entrance. On the opposite side (left from the entrance), the northern Damuncheonwang holding a pagoda is placed near the Daeungjeon, and the western Gwangmokcheonwang holding a dragon and wish-fulfilling jewel is positioned near the entrance.

On the 7th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced plans to designate Sacheonwang statues from eight temples?Hwaeomsa in Gurye, Heungguksa in Yeosu, Beopjusa in Boeun, Jikjisa in Gimcheon, Neunggasa in Goheung, Bulgapsa in Yeonggwang, Sutasa in Hongcheon, and Magoksa in Gongju?as national treasures.

In Korea, about 20 Sacheonwang statues remain, including three designated treasures: the wooden Sacheonwang statues of Borimsa in Jangheung, the painted Sacheonwang statues of Songgwangsa in Suncheon, and the painted Sacheonwang statues of Songgwangsa in Wanju. The eight statues proposed for treasure designation this time were all created in the 17th century.

The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to finalize the designation of these eight Sacheonwang statues as treasures after a 30-day public notice period to gather opinions from various sectors, followed by a review by the Cultural Heritage Committee.