Korea's Buddhist art on display

A visitor looks at “Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva,” a 13th century wooden Buddhist statue, during a press preview of the National Museum of Korea’s Buddhist art exhibition, Friday. / Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul

By Baek Byung-yeul

With more than 1,600 years of history, Buddhism has been a major influence in Korea.

Through the ages, many Buddhists have believed that they can accomplish their wishes -- prosperity for their country, peace in their mundane present life and re-birth in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss (Buddhists’ paradise).

To give shape to their wishes, Buddhists patronize Buddhist projects such as constructing a temple, producing a stone pagoda, enshrining Buddhist statues and painting inside temples.

On Buddha’s Birthday, which falls on Monday, the National Museum of Korea (NMK) is giving visitors an opportunity to see various kinds of Buddhist artworks.

“In Buddhism, there has been great emphasis on implementing good deeds to help disseminate what Buddha taught,” Shin So-yeon, a curator of the exhibition, said at the press preview, Friday. “And according to Buddhism, the examples of such deeds include producing Buddhist sculptures and paintings, publishing sutras and so on.

Bronze bell with an inscription of “Daehyewon”

“And these Buddhist artworks on display are all the result of the support from the countless faithful believers in the religion.”

According to the museum, the exhibition, “Devout Patrons of Buddhist Art,” is “all-inclusive of Buddhist art in Korea.”

Featuring 431 artifacts, including 134 treasures designated by the government, the NMK showcases how diverse groups of devout Buddhists have supported various Buddhist artworks over the years. It is comprised of seven parts.

The most striking artwork that drew attention at the press preview was probably the reliquary set from the pagoda at the ancient Hwangboksa Temple site in Gyeonggju, the then capital city of the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57-A.D. 935). The pagoda was built by King Hyoso in 692.

The reliquaries in the pagoda include a casket containing “sarira”, or the remains of Buddhist monks after their death and cremation, and two tiny gold Buddhist statues, which are designated as National Treasures.

“Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva,” a 13th century wooden Buddhist statue that portrays merciful Bodhisattva firmly seated, is another artifact that lured flocks of visitors.

Not only paintings, sculptures and sutras, but incense burners, bells and candlesticks that were used in Buddhist rituals are featured.

The exhibition runs through August 2. The NMK is near exit 4 of Ichon Station, subway line 4 and the Jungang Line. Admission is free. It will close on Mondays. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr.