토함산 石窟 十大弟子像의 연구

Abstract

The ten principle disciples are refered to the ten leading disciples also called ‘the ten disciples of Sakyamuni’ or ‘the ten saints of Sakyamuni’, who served Buddha and heard his preaching close to. This study is focused on the statue of the ten principle disciples in Seokguram, considered the masterpiece of Buddhist art in Silla in the era from the 7th to 8th century. The statue of the ten disciples is arranged at the back wall of the main chamber where the Svadeva (Principle Buddha) is placed, suggesting their highly considered position in Buddhism Also two thirds of the wall in the main chamber is allocated for their statue, which presents their religious significance. Still, there are a number of differing views in their exact names or the order of arrangement, since the symbolic hand gesture or what they hold is not in accord with the Buddhist scriptures and there is no ground for the icon to identify their names yet. Especially a Buddhist regarded as the icon of a very humane monk or a Buddhist Patriarch achieved great enlightenment but remained for leading all living beings till the advent of Maitreya. The way they are expressed is various and distinctive without any formulaic pattern. Of them, there are some icons in common in Eastern Asia including Seokguram, such as the icon holding an incense burner with shaft or an incense box, the icon with a scroll of sutras, and the icon putting its hands together in a prayer position. It is available to compare with the Painting of Buddha Giving a Sermon at Kajuji Temple (勧修寺 釋迦如來說法圖) in Japan or the mural painting at the 56th Grotto of Dunhuang Mogao Caves (敦煌 莫高窟 56窟 壁畵) and that of the 11th Grotto in Bingling Temple (炳靈寺 11窟 壁畵) in China. The statue of the ten disciples in Seokguram is structured in a circle arrangement with the exact bilateral symmetry. It surrounds the statue of Svadeva in a circle and effectively pictures the scene that two disciples at each end hold the incense burner and the incense box to make an offering ritual. While surrounding the Svadeva in a holy way, it is carved with perfection to make an offering by rhythmic and lively motions toward the entrance. In comparing, the followings are available in terms of the mode of expression; in China, the 29 Buddhist Patriarchs in Kanjingsidong (東山 看經寺洞 29祖師像) and the 25 Buddhist Patriarchs in Leigutai Jungdong (擂鼓台 中洞 25祖師像) of Longmen Grottoes (龍門石窟), the Statue of Ananda and Kasyapa at Tianlongshan Cave (天龍山 石窟) or in Japan, the Lacquered Statue of the Ten Principle Disciples in Kofukuji Temple (興福寺 乾漆 十大弟子像). Each of the disciples’ faces looks similar to Westerners’ with strong visual depth and expresses humane emotions with the flowing trains of garment, which truly presents realism. Thus, the statue of the ten principle disciples is the most unconstrained and distinctive art work in all the statuary in Seokguram.