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Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha and Excavated Relics of Heukseoksa Temple, Yeongju

영주 흑석사 목조아미타여래좌상 및 복장유물 ( 榮州 黑石寺 木造阿彌陀如來坐像 및 腹藏遺物 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha and Excavated Relics of Heukseoksa Temple, Yeongju
Quantity 1 Set
Designated Date 1993.11.05
Age
Address Heukseoksa Temple, 390-40, Isan-ro, Isan-myeon, Yeongju Gyeongsangbuk-do/Daegu National Museum, 321, Cheongho-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu

Heukseoksa is a temple founded no later than the Unified Silla Period and has the rock-cut Buddhist image of the Three Kingdoms Period and the Seated Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 681) of the Unified Silla Period. The temple had been destroyed by fire during the Japanese Invasion in 1592 and was rebuilt in 1945. It was not until 1990s that many relics were found from within the Wooden Amitabha Buddha enshrined in Daeungjeon Hall or the main building. The documents found with the relics revealed that the Wooden Amitabha Buddha was made in 1458 during the reign of King Sejo of Joseon as the Principal Buddha of the Buddha Triad of Beopcheonsa Temple. Consistent with this record is the style shown in the topknot and the clothes folds near the arms and stomach, which is typical in the earlier Joseon Dynasty. The location of the Beopcheonsa Temple, however, is unclear because many temples existed there with the same name in many regions including Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do. The relics in all are fourteen pieces of seven kinds including some Buddhist amulets, Bulsangjoseonggwongomun recording the list of donors and information of this Buddha image and Buljosamgyeonghapbu, a compilation of sutras. The contents found within the body are in accordance with the record of Josanggyeong, which was published by Yujeomsa Temple in 1824: Thirty-eight kinds of fabrics, five kinds of perfumery, five cereals and the Seven Treasures such as glass, pearl, amber, etc. These relics, revealing the production date of the Wooden Amitabha Buddha, are precious themselves especially for textiles and bibliographical research.