Wooden Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Triad and the Ten Kings of Hell of Eunhasa Temple in Gimhae

These 21 statues enshrined in Myeongbujeon Hall of Eunhasa Temple were made in 1687 by eight monk artisans including Saeknan. They depict a Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva triad, the Ten Underworld Kings, and their retinue. Ksitigarbha, or the Bodhisattva of Great Vows, 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. The Ten Underworld Kings preside over the judgment of the dead.

Monk Saeknan was a representative sculptor of the 17th century, having produced many works in the Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do regions. This set of statues reflects the zenith of Saeknan’s sculptural style, as seen in the refined carving technique and quaint bodily proportions, making the statues of great academic and artistic importance. In particular, the Ten Underworld Kings are depicted in a novel way, with their caps and footrests decorated with various creatures such as dragons, phoenixes, elephants, and lions.

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