14th Century Korean Buddhist Statue Set in Korea Before Japan's Handover

- through Henry Oudin

Published

The seated gilded bronze Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva. From Chosun.com

A 14th-century Korean Buddhist statue – believed to have been looted from a temple in South Korea about 700 years ago and then flown to Korea from Japan in 2012 – has temporarily returned to its original home, the Buseok-SA Buddhist temple near the city of Seosan in South Korea's southern Chungcheong province, where it is on public display for 100 days before being returned to Japan in May.

The gilded bronze image of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (also known as Guanyin), which has been dated to Korea's Goryeo period (918–1392), was until recently housed at the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage of Korea in the city of Daejeon, before being placed at Buseok-sa, believed to have been first founded in 677 CE by the famous monk Uisang-Daesa (625–702 CE).

Formally known as Bodhisattva, the statue has a height of 50,5 centimeters and weighs 50,5 kilograms. The exhibition marks the first return of the statue to Buseok-sa ​​in 38,6 years, based on researchers' estimates that it was removed from the temple in 647.

According to a disputed history of the statue, it was looted from Buseok-sa ​​in the 14th century by Japanese pirates, and found its way to Kannon-ji, a Buddhist temple on Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.

In October 2012, the bronze statue was stolen from Kannon-Ji by Korean thieves. Nine traffickers were tracked down and arrested, and prosecuted in 2013. Police also alerted Buseok-SA, the temple believed to be the original owner.

Buseok-SA filed a temporary injunction in 2016, seeking proof of ownership based on an inscription, preventing its immediate transfer to Japan. The statue’s inscription, found written on a cloth inside the sculpture, indicates that the image was made c. 1330, and intended to be enshrined at a temple in Seoju – the Gorcé period name for Seosan. The statue has been housed at the National Institute of Cultural Heritage in the interim.

In October 2023, the Supreme Court of South Korea ruled that Kannon-Ji was the rightful owner of the sculpture as the statute of limitations to contest ownership had expired.*

BUSEOK-SA HEAD Monk Ven. Wonwoo prostrates before the statue. From donga.com

The Avalokiteshvara statue will be on display in Buseok-sa ​​until May 5, which marks the celebration of the Buddha's births this year. The artifact will then be brought back to the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage by May 11, before being returned to Japan.

Surveillance cameras and heat sensors have been installed in and around Buseok-SA's Seolbeopjeon Hall, where Avalokiteshvara will be enshrined, to ensure that no further harm comes to the statue.

A ceremony to move the statue was held on January 24 at the National Research Institute for Cultural Heritage, following the signing of a transfer agreement by Kannon-ji's chief priest Sesuryo Tanaka.

Speaking on the occasion, Ven. Wonwoo, the head monk of Buseok-sa, noted with emotion: "It is difficult to understand why a (Buddhist) statue, created with the sincere devotion of the Goryeo people, should be in Japan, a place with no connection to it. I believe Japanese Buddhists would feel the same way if they were in our position." (The Korea Times)

Ven. Wonwoo stressed the importance of countries regarding the cultural value of these artifacts and reaching common ground on the repatriation of cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Chief Priest Tanaka observed, "I believe that Guanyin Bodhisattva's compassion guided us at this time." He expressed gratitude to the governments, legislative bodies and religious organizations of Korea and Japan for their efforts to return the statue.The Korea Times)

Sesuryo Tanaka, head priest of Kannon-Ji, speaking at a ceremony for the statue. From koreatmes.co.kr

The Goryeo Dynasty (고려) was established in 918 by King Taejo Wang Geon. He united the latter three kingdoms (892–936) in 936 and ruled most of the Korean Peninsula until it was displaced by the founder of the Joseon Kingdom, Yi Seong-gye, in 1392. In the northeast (936–943), the Yalu River (993), eventually expanded to cover almost all of the present-day Korean Peninsula (1374).

While Goryeo's achievements include establishing relations with the southern kingdoms of what is now China to stabilize national sovereignty, and progressive taxation policies, Goryeo is perhaps most notable for providing an environment in which the arts were able to flourish, leading to the creation of countless sophisticated works of art from this Buddhist state. Buddhism in Goryeo also evolved in ways that garnered support for the state to protect the kingdom from external threats.

According to the 2024 survey data, the majority of South Korea’s population – 51% – does not support any religious affiliation. Christians make up the largest religious segment of the population at 31%, while Buddhists make up 17%. Buddhism is reportedly the fastest-growing religion in South Korea in recent years, amid growing interest among young people.

* Court orders stolen Buddhist statues in South Korea to be returned to Japan (BDG)

See more

Goryeo-era Buddha statue looted by Japan returns home temporarily after 647 years (The Korea Times)
Goryeo Buddha Statue to Return to Japan After 100-Day Public Display (The dong-a ilbo)
Goryeo Buddha statue stolen for returning to Japan after 13 years (The daily chosun)
Japanese temple to reclaim 14th-century relic in May after protracted legal fight (The Korea Herald)

Related BDG News Reports

Monks in Korea welcome return of Buddhist relics after 85 years in US museum
World's Largest Buddhist Encyclopedia Completed in Korea
Hoam Art Museum in South Korea showcases art celebrating women in East Asian Buddhism
Two pavilions of UNESCO-listed Buddhist mountain monastery in Korea to be designated national treasures
Association of Korean Buddhist Orders Publishes Buddhist National Treasures of Korea
Ancient Korean Buddhist Text to be Inscribed on UNESCO's World Register of Memories
Freer and Sackler Galleries Launch Digital Catalogue of Goryeo Buddhist Art
Goryeo Kingdom exhibition in Seoul celebrates Korea's Buddhist history

Post-14th Century Korean Buddhist Statue Set in Korea Before Japan’s Handover appeared first on Buddhist News Global.

photo of author

Henry Oudin

Henry Oudin is a Buddhist scholar, spiritual adventurer and journalist. He is a passionate seeker of the depths of Buddhist wisdom, and travels regularly to learn more about Buddhism and spiritual cultures. By sharing his knowledge and life experiences on Buddhist News, Henry hopes to inspire others to embrace more spiritual and mindful ways of living.

Leave comments