Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Daeseungsa Temple, Mungyeong

This is a statue of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, who is the savior of all living beings who suffer in their present lives. It is presumed to have been made in the late 15th century.

Avalokitesvara wears a splendid headdress, from under which a few strands of black hair flow down onto his shoulders. The three creases encircling his neck represent the “three destinies” of afflictions, actions, and suffering, which all those, who have yet to reach enlightenment, are bound to follow. The various parts of the body feature jewelry decorations.

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