북제 북향당산석굴 북대굴(9굴)과 경주 골굴석굴 비교연구

Abstract

This paper examines the North Cave, the earliest of the Northern Xiangtangshan Caves of the Northern Qi dynasty (550-577), based on related records, characteristics, the cave temple archetype, and purpose of its construction, while also studying Northern Qi’s relationship with the Buddhist sculpture of Korea’s Silla period and its influence on the construction of Golgul cave in Gyeongju, the Silla capital. The North Cave of the Northern Xiangtangshan Caves, built under the sponsorship of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, has a central pillar featuring sculptures of one Buddha and two bodhisattvas on three sides. The images are collectively known as the three Buddhas of the past, present and future (Dipankara, Shakyamuni, and Maitreya). Based on records, it is conjectured that the coffin of Emperor Wenxuan (r. 550-559) was enshrined in an empty niche at the top of the central pillar. The stone coffin platform presumably excavated from the city of Anyang in Henan Province, China, is thought to be a funerary item of Emperor Wenxuan. This sheds light on one aspect of the imperial court of Northern Wei, which admired the Sogdian culture. The Buddha and bodhisattva sculptures remaining in the Northern Xiangtangshan Caves are not in the graceful style known as xui gu qing xiang, literally “elegant bones and clear appearance,” that characterized the Buddhist images of the preceding Northern Wei and Eastern and Western Wei dynasties, but have a generous sense of volume and clean modelling that expresses the fullness of the face. It seems this sudden change in the style of Buddhist sculptures of Northern Qi is related to the court’s preference for the Sogdian culture, as Emperor Wenxuan opposed the policy of Northern Qi’s Sinicization and pursued the policy of adherence to Xianbei traditions. In Korea, during the reign of King Jinheung (r. 540-576) the Silla Kingdom occupied the Han River basin and had access to China via maritime routes. As Northern Qi and Goguryeo relations worsened, the title of Dongyi Gyowi (Colonel of the Dongyi) that had been conferred on Goguryeo was transferred to Silla in 565. While King Jinhueng reigned, Silla conducted direct trade with Northern Qi, which led to the direct introduction of the advanced civilization of Ye (Northern Qi capital), especially the sculptural art of the Northern Xiangtangshan Caves. It is surmised that this kind of exchange influenced the creation of monumental works of Korean Buddhist art, namely the two pensive images that have been designated National Treasure No.78 and No.83, respectively. These two sculptures, made between the latter half of the sixth century and the early seventh century, can be compared with the Buddha sculpture found on the northern side of the central pillar in the Northern Xiangtangshan Caves, now preserved at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The faces of the Korean pensive images in their sense of volume and confident modelling are similar to the face of the Xiangtangshan principal icon. Moreover, expression of the details such as the “sun-and-moon” decorations on crown and the round seat reflect the style of the Sogdian people who were active in the Northern Qi dynasty. The Northern Xiangtangshan Caves would have influenced not only Silla Buddhist sculpture but also the construction of Golgul Cave in Gyeongju. This paper examines the location of the Chinese and Korean cave temples, which were situated on traffic routes where the introduction of foreign culture was rapid and where royal processions often took place, and also Master Sengchou (480-560) of Northern Qi and the Monk Wonhyo (617-686) of Silla, as well as the nature of Golgul Cave as a temple for spiritual practice in the early Silla period.