Buddhist Painting of Heungguksa Temple (Sixteen Arhats)

These six paintings depict 16 arhats who have received the teachings of the Buddha and achieved enlightenment. This painting was created in 1723 by 12 painter-monks under the supervision of Uigyeom, the most renowned painter-monk of the 18th century. The paintings currently displayed in Eungjinjeon Hall are copies of the originals. The original paintings are preserved in the temple’s museum.

There are three paintings each on the walls to the left and right of the main altar. It is said there was once an additional painting behind the main altar that depicted the Buddha delivering his sermon on Vulture Peak, however it was lost at some point. The two paintings closest to the altar depict the experienced monk Maha Kasyapa and the young monk Ananda facing each other, each accompanied by three arhats. The middle paintings on each side depict four arhats. The paintings closest to the front doors depict one arhat, Brahma or Indra, and a wrathful guardian.

Elements such as the rocky background colored thinly with India ink show how Uigyeom incorporated the ink-and-wash painting technique into his artistic style. This is a valuable painting as it became the model for later paintings depicting 16 arhats.

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