Mural Painting in Daeungjeon Hall of Heungguksa Temple, Yeosu (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva)

This mural painting depicts Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, and is presumed to have been made in the 17th century.

Avalokitesvara is seated on a lotus pedestal that appears to be rising from the sea. His left leg hangs down over the pedestal and his right leg is bent with the right foot resting on the left thigh. Behind his head is a green halo. He wears a white robe and a splendid headdress with a small painting of Amitabha, the Buddha of the Western Paradise. To his right is a lotus flower atop which a bottle filled with pure water (kundika), a distinguishing symbol of Avalokitesvara, is placed, Next to his right knee, Sudhana is depicted with his hands held together in prayer. Sudhana, who appears in the Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra), attained the wisdom of the universe after seeking the teachings of 53 gurus.

Most mural paintings found on the back wall of a Buddhist worship hall are painted directly on the wall, but this one was painted on 17 pieces of traditional mulberry paper which were then glued to the wall. The painting measures 2.9 m in width and 3.9 cm in height.

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