Abstract
This writing discussed Illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra (華嚴經變相圖) focusing on their development and acceptance in East Asia and the understanding and importance of Buddhist painting ...
Abstract
This writing discussed Illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra (華嚴經變相圖) focusing on their development and acceptance in East Asia and the understanding and importance of Buddhist painting characteristics. This tried to grasp the connection between art history and the history of religions by finding the symbolic values and meanings of Buddhist paintings of the Illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra in East Asia beyond understanding their thematic meanings and them in comparing and studying them with one another and interpreting them comprehensively.
The Illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra in East Asia originated from India and were created, developed, and became widespread in the countries bordering on Western China (西域) and Dunhuang, China via Silk Road. In the process, flower garland sutra and the Illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra developed in each time period repeated the development and decline in China, Korea, and Japan.
First, the Illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra in East Asia drew contents of 39 pum Chilcheoguhoe of『 the Avatamska Sutra』. They explains contents of each Buddhist sermon ceremony to be easier to understand contents of 80 『the Avatamska Sutra』. And Buddha who found enlightenment and the practice system to reach enlightenment are the central subjects by making people achieve Buddha's wonder and Bodhisattva's charity through these illustrations. This means that flower garland sutra was maximized by expresses that Buddha's enlightenment is the basic stance, it was right after enlightenment in terms of time, and the lion-throne under the bodhi tree is Buddha's stamp about his enlightenment and preaching the Avatamska Sutra(寂滅道場) spatially.
Second, the mural paintings in Mogao Caves in Dunhuang have been shown in total 29 caves from the 5th Dynasty to the Song Dynasty as well as the 44th cave done in the Tang Dynasty(盛唐代, 705-780). The Illustration of the AvatamsakaSutra in the Silla Dynasty (754∼755), the Illustration of the AvatamsakaSutra in the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392, the Sutra or Pangyeong, and the Illustration of the AvatamsakaSutra of Sample coloring and Mukjigeumni(墨紙金泥) in the Joseon Dynasty (The late of 18th century and the 19th century) were created and popular in Korea. The Illustration of the AvatamsakaSutra in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) was created and popular at different times in Japan.
Third, all the Illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra in East Asia are Chilcheoguhoedo buddhist pictures (七處九會圖), Including Seonjaegubeop or separated Seonjaegubeopdo Paintings) and the illustrations of the Land of Lotus Flower of Vairochana Buddha based on 80 『the Avatamska Sutra』. Especially for Buddhist paintings of Buddha and Bodhisattvas of Chilcheoguhoe in East Asia, Hwagi(畵記) which informs people of arrangement and Hoecheo of pictures also provides clues to be able to infer many parts.
Fourth, the Illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra faithfully describe the contents of Buddhist sermons of 『the Avatamska Sutra』 preached on earth and in heaven, in other words, earthly Buddhist sermons at the bottom and heavenly Buddhist sermons at the top with Buddhist paintings of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Especially, the old method with red pre dyeing of the previous age or Central Asia remained for the Buddhist paintings of Buddha and Bodhisattvas of Mogao Caves. the method to tie a knot on the left shoulder of a Bodhisattva image, the ample and curved body, and a simple necklace ornament are similar to those of the Illustration of the AvatamsakaSutra in the Silla Dynasty and a Bodhisattva image in Ho-am Art Museum in Yongin. These contents of Buddhist paintings of Buddha and Bodhisattvas of Chilcheoguhoe could be found that Gaehwasa of the Song Dynasty, the 14th cave of Dazu Shiku, băodĭngshān in the Southern Sòng Dynasty, Chilcheoguhoedo Buddhist Picture of Daeungbojeon Hall in Shang hua yan si, and Sambhogakaya Painting in Biraebong, Hangzhou, China were connected to Buddhist paintings in the Joseon dynasty.
In conclusion, the Korean illustrations of the Avatamsaka Sutra accepted Buddhist paintings of Buddha and Bodhisattvas of the illustrations of Dunhuang and the Song Dynasty in China but are Mahayana Buddhism art created by accepting and blending refined and delicate touches, the composition of filled pictures without blank spaces, symmetry and harmony, and formal Buddhist paintings of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Therefore, the Korean illustrations of the AvatamsakaSutra in East Asia are very meaningful in that they functioned and acted as various religious paintings of Buddhist art in each country in terms of cultural exchange between the East and the West and identity of unique works and the historical position of each country could be found.