조선시대 약사불화의 십이신장 도상 고찰

Abstract

The present study examined the icons of the 12 divine generals in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings from the Joseon period, which were painted out of belief in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha. Belief in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha was introduced and spread during the Period of the Three Kingdoms, and handed down steadily through the Goryeo period and popularized in the Joseon period. We can infer the belief from various relics and literary records. Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings, which were created based on belief in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, express 12 divine generals in armor, a helmet and a threatening look as major companions. The 12 divine generals are guardian deities for Bhaisajyaguru Buddha appearing in ‘Yaksaryurigwangchilbulbonwongongdeokgyeong’ the Suo‐yi Sutra of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, and they are General Gungbira, General Baljeolla, General Migira, General Alyira, General Malyira, General Sayira, General Intara, General Paira, General Bakhora, General Jindala, General Jusara and General Bigalla. Devoted to the three gems (the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sanga), they played the role of protecting those who worshipped and respected Bhaisajyaguru Buddha. The 12 divine generals are important icons in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings, showing unique characteristics not found in other Buddhist and Bodhisattva paintings, but they have been regarded merely as the companions or guardian deities of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha. What is more, the 12 divine generals have been overlooked in the history of Buddhist paintings and studied in few of previous researches. Thus, the present study made a comprehensive research on the meanings of the 12 divine generals based on Buddhist scriptures and paintings, and explained the position and significance of the 12 divine generals expressed in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings created during the Joseon period. The 12 divine generals in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings from the Joseon period wear armor of finely described patterns and have well‐developed muscles expressed realistically through the shade of color. This style was continued from the Goryeo period to the Joseon period, but the two hands are expressed in various postures like holding a weapon or joining together. In addition, the 12 divine generals carry items such as arrows, spear, sword, precious bar, vajra and precious pearl, but the items appearing in the paintings hardly agree with those described in the scriptures. This fact may be understood that the 12 divine generals guarding Bhaisajyaguru Buddha protect the Buddha by carrying articles related to Buddhism as these articles are believed to protect Buddhism. Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings were drawn steadily throughout the whole period of the Joseon period, but in particular the 18th century was the heyday, producing many works. In addition, Three Buddhas paintings were popular during this period and many of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings were drawn in the style of the Three Buddhas paintings. Due to this trend, the icons of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings went through variations, and as a result most of the 12 divine generals were omitted and, instead, the Four Devas, the Eight Classes of Divine Beings or the Ten Greatest Disciples were deployed in simple composition. That is, the 12 divine generals are indispensable figures in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings, but as the meaning of the 12 divine generals as guardian deities were weakened in the late Joseon period they were expressed symbolically similar to other divine generals. Such a change is important because it shows that the icons of the 12 divine generals in Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings created in the Joseon period developed not just as a part of the development of the style of Bhaisajyaguru Buddha paintings but in close connection with the transition of Buddhism in the Joseon period resulting from social and economic influence and the merger and abolition of Buddhist doctrines.