양양 낙산사 원통보전 건칠관음보살상 연구

Abstract

The Statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in Naksansa Temple had been enshrined in the main dharma hall of the temple ever since it was founded by the great Silla monk Uisang. However, the statue disappeared from the temple and was not retrieved until recently, when it was discovered at the nearby Yeonghyeolsa Temple, which is closely related with the worship of Avalokitesvara. As one of the dry-lacquered Buddhist statues produced between late Goryeo and early Joseon, the Statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in Naksansa Temple features a bejeweled headdress, lavishly decorated garments, elaborate finishing touches with a gold-painted interior, and the use of outstanding carving techniques. These aesthetic elements were much cherished by the royal family and nobility of both Goryeo and Joseon, suggesting that the statue was patronized by the royal family. The Statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is also marked by an imposing, proportional body sitting in the lotus position, suggesting that it was created as the principal Buddhist figure to be enshrined in Wontongjeon Hall. The Statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva enshrined in Naksansa Temple is comparable in terms of it sculptural style with the gilt-bronze statue of Avalokitesvara and Ksitigarbhah enshrined in Daejeokgwangjeon Hall of Haeinsa Temple. The fact that the latter two were produced in 1351 suggests that the statue of Avalokitesvara might date back to the late fourteenth century. The elegant, well-defined face, well-built body with a voluminous chest, waist-band with a delightfully simple knot, and Ω-shaped fold in the robe on the left arm are all features that can be seen in statues of bodhisattvas dating back to the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods. Furthermore, the pedestal covered with the bodhisattva’s lower garment is a characteristic feature of the Buddhist statues made during late Goryeo under the influence of Buddhist sculpture of the Chinese Yuan dynasty.