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A Study on Bodhisattva Statues of the Late Goryeo Period

鄭恩雨

Published: January 2002 · No. 236 · pp. 97-131
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Abstract

Under the strong support from Royal family and the commonality of charity idea. many Buddhist sculptures were made during the late-Koryo dynasty (1270-1392) and around 100 sculptures still exist. The peculiarities of the sculpture at that time were various in the point of materials such as gilt-bronze. dry lacquer and wooden statue, and of votive offerings(腹藏物) consisting of different of things inserted inside the image.*br* The typical peculiarity is to succeed Buddhist sculpture type of traditional mid-Koryo dynasty affected by Song (1127-1279) and Liao dynasty (916-1125) and to accept Lamaist Buddha sculpture type depending on strong relationship with Chinese Yuan dynasty (1272-1368). That caused peculiar and diverse types of Buddhist sculpture compared to previous ones.*br* By comparing wearing garment, posture and ornamentation expression, Buddhist sculpture of late-Koryo dynasty could be classified into four types as follows.*br* The first one is ByunhyungTongkyun type(變形通肩式). The prominent elements of this style are the garment worn by covering both shoulders, the inner dress folding on the right arm, the revealing a metal ornament on the right side secured the inner dress, and the ribboned band across the chest. So it showed an omega shaped wrinkles at the left arm elbow and a half moon shaped hanging on the left shoulder. Some of images have a leaf shaped sleeve to the left knee. In addition to the above mentioned features, the Bodhisattva of the same type showed the extra characteristics such as the ornamentation on the neck and the knee. Stylistic prototypes of this type can be found in China among sculptures of the Liao dynasty.*br* The second one is Tongkyun type(通肩式) which is usually shown in the Bodhisattva statue. The characteristic of this style is to wear garment covering both shoulder, to have pendant of five lined necklace on neck and knee, and sometimes to dress lavish ornamentation on the body. The sleeve is symmetrically thrown on over knee, and back hairs are divided into five group. This style is mainly found at Kyungsang province and seems to have a strong relationship with Chinese Buddhist style and type shown in the period of Southern Song dynasty.*br* The third one is Chunui type(天衣式). It means that the scarf is thrown on over chest and could be seen at Bodhisattva statue postured in "Royal ease" (輪王坐 or 遊戱坐) which is popular in China during the Song dynasty. Among Bodhisattva statue of this type, by observing the style similar to Sudyana or statue sitting on the rock with bottle, it seems to be the Watermoon Avalokiteshvara made by sculpture. In particular, the Watermoon Avalokiteshvara in Koryo dynasty seems to have relationship with present secular religion linked to the traditional belief to seek the son(求子信仰).*br* The last one of late Koryo Bodhisattva sculpture is Lamaist stylized type (喇麻式) which shows influence of Lamaist Buddhism. The statue of late Koryo dynasty has a characteristics in the point of Koryo expression combined with traditional element such as Chunui typed(天衣式) Bodhisattva statue. Due to the difference from Yuan or Tibetian style, it is called Lamaist style.*br* ByunhyungTongkyun type and Tongkyun type are common on the type of wearing Buddha's garment instead of scarf and on the expression of a topknot and hair over the shoulder. The Bodhisattva statue of Chunui type and Lamaist stylized type show the characteristics mixed with each feature. It means that the statue could be made in the area of Gaekyung-the capital city, and could be found favor expecially among members of the court and aristocracy.*br* This paper contributes to the study on a new approach about the cause, variety and chronicle of Buddha image from the late Koryo dynasty. The paper also surveys a centralized style concentrated on Gaekyung area which few study has been made.