The Portable Shrine of Gilt-bronze Buddhas at Cheoneunsa Temple in Gurye, South Jeolla Province, the largest surviving Buddhist "bulgam" of its kind, is set to be designated a National Treasure, according to the Korea Heritage Service on Friday.
A bulgam is a miniature structure made of materials such as wood, stone or metal to house Buddhist statues.
The shrine stands just 43.3 centimeters tall on a square base and has a hip-and-gable roof, with doors at the front. The doors' exteriors are decorated with cloud patterns, while the inside features embossed images of Geumgangyeoksa, or guardian warriors. The figures were created using a metalworking technique that gives the designs a raised, three-dimensional appearance.
Inside, the front wall depicts Vairocana Buddha, flanked by attendant bodhisattvas and the Ten Great Disciples. The left wall features a triad centered on Bhaisajyaguru, while the right wall depicts a triad centered on Amitabha Buddha.
The shrine was designed to house separately made gilt-bronze Buddhist statues. Two remain today, but five mounting holes on the bottom suggest that it originally held five statues.
An inscription on the back identifies the artisans involved in its production, including Sin Seung, who made the statues, and Kim Chi, who crafted the shrine. It also names donors, including a married couple surnamed Park.
The shrine offers a rare look at the design and craftsmanship of gilt-bronze Buddhist shrines from the late Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392), according to the Korea Heritage Service. Its inscription also provides valuable insight into how Buddhist artworks were commissioned and made at the time, including the roles played by artisans and donors.
With few examples of Goryeo-era shrines of this kind surviving today, the portable shrine is considered an important work of Buddhist art from the period, a heritage service official said.
hwangdh@heraldcorp.com
