The Art of Ancient Trade 2 - Buddhism

Buddhism in Korea is one of results of widespread trade that was popular among Asian countries. Buddhism originated in India and it first spread to Southeast Asia and to countries bordring western China. In 372 AD, Buddhism finally arrived at the Korean Peninsula.

The abundance of Buddhist relics can be studied through various Korean ancient arts. Buddhist sculptures and other related artifacts explain a lot about integration of Buddhism in local history. Similar characteristics can be found among religious artifacts from China and Southeast Asia, demonstrating a certain level of cultural exchange. The most famous represented example is the 7th century Pensive Bodhisattva (National Treasure No. 83) and it clearly shows the foreign influence on Korean designs. Compared to Auguste Rodin's The Thinker, the statue is very similar in its contemplative pose: legs half-crossed and a lowered head accented by a distinct hand gesture on its cheek.

Thought the crown on the sculture's head is not found on works from India and China. The sculpture has a crown that consists of three half-disks. The three disks are connected in a circle, and the design is relatively simple.The crown is unique for bodhisattva statues, but it is believed to be modeled after crowns worn by kings and princesses. The figure's eyes are half-closed and it is slightly smiling which gives an aura of sublime contemplation. When it was scrutinized, the inner corners of the eyes revealed a trait known as the "Mongolian eye." This originated in India, and it spread to many Asian countries.
The making of Bodhisattva statues began during 3rd and 4th century and was developed in the Bandhara region of India. In the 5th century, it spread to China along with the religion's dissemination through Central Asia. In the late 6th century, the sculpture style came to Korea. As monks traveled to spread the teachings of Buddhism, cultural items and ideas were transferred between countries. Heo Hyeongwook, a curator at Gyeongju National Museum in Korea explains, "It would have been common for monks to bring their personal belongings to other countries, where exchanges would occur."

Source:

"Talking Past: The Art of Ancient Trade." Korea.net. Web. 10 Dec. 2011. <http://www.korea.net/detail.do?guid=57134>.