Hanging Painting of Heungguksa Temple (Rocana Buddha)

Hanging banner paintings are displayed outdoors on special occasions such as the Buddha’s birthday, outdoor rites, and the funerals of eminent monks.

The hanging painting of Heungguksa Temple depicts Rocana Buddha, who is known to have achieved countless meritorious virtues through long meditative practices. The painting is currently housed in the temple’s storage facilities.

The painting was created in 1759 by Bihyeon and 12 other painter-monks. Bihyeon worked in Jeolla-do Province, continuing the tradition of Uigyeom, the most renowned painter-monk of the 18th century.

Rocana is depicted alone in the center filling most of the canvas. He is depicted standing on a lotus pedestal with his hands raised up to his shoulders and his both palms spread outwards. He has a large and colorful halo and is wearing a headdress decorated with flame designs. The building eaves depicted at the top of the painting represent the Heavenly Palace where Rocana delivered a sermon.

In the center at the bottom of the painting, there is a written inscription recording when, by whom, through whose funding, for which worship hall, and why the painting was made. According to this record, this painting was created to wish for the heavenly bliss of monks and parents who passed away. It was funded through the donations of 223 people including monks and lay people. On the back of the painting, information regarding the repair of the painting is recorded, making the painting an important resource for researching hanging banner paintings of the Joseon period (1392-1910).

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