Gilt-bronze Seated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at Dosoram Hermitage of Seonunsa Temple, Gochang

This is a statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, or the Bodhisattva of Great Vows, who took on the responsibility of rescuing unfortunate beings from hell and vowed to postpone Buddhahood until all beings are saved from the world of suffering. It is presumed to have been made in the late period of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392).

In general, a statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is enshrined in a worship hall called Myeongbujeon, symbolizing the realm of the dead in Buddhist cosmology. However, in Dosoram Hermitage, Ksitigarbha is enshrined in Naewongung Hall, which symbolizes the Inner Court of the fourth heavenly realm.

A statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva usually holds a scepter or a wish-fulfilling jewel in his hand, but this statue has a “wheel of dharma” in his left hand which symbolizes the perfect teachings of the Buddha. He raises his right hand in front of his chest with the thumb and middle finger put together, indicating he is giving a lecture. The green, shoulder-length hood he is wearing is characteristic of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statues made in the late Goryeo period.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08