¡Û Pankasayusang
Like most Buddhist statues, the Pankasayusang is sometimes built from gilt bronze,
stone or clay and is enshrined in Buddhist halls. However the Pankasayusang offers two
unique characteristics: first, rather than sitting on the ground, the Bodhisattva figure is sitting
on a chair and his right foot is placed on top of his left knee. Second, the fingertips of the
Bodhisattva's right hand rest against his chin and his facial expression is one of someone
absorbed in deep thought. The first unique characteristic of this statue is referred to as the
half cross-legged form and the second characteristic as the meditating form. Since the
Bodhisattva figure is considered to be that of the Maitreya Bodhisattva, the full title of this
image is "Maitreya Bodhisattva Pankasayusang", literally meaning "Half
Cross-Legged Meditating Statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva." For convenience though, the
title has been shortened to just "Pankasang(Half Cross-Legged Statue)"
"Pankasayusang(Half Cross-Legged Meditating Statue)."
¡Û Origin of Pankasayusan
The Pankasayusang made its appearance when Buddhist statues were first being made in
Gandhara, India, which is present-day Pakistan. Originally Roman and Greek Art thrived in
Gandhara for quite some time and it wasn't until after the Buddha's death that people in the
area started making Buddhist images and statues. This marked the beginning of India's
Buddhist sculpting tradition. The Pankasayusang produced in that time period was the image
of the young prince Shakyamuni, absorbed in deep reflection after he had abandoned his
father's palace and entered the secular world to begin his long journey of spiritual practice.
This image eventually found its way into China where it underwent a change and became
the image of the Maitreya Bodhisattva. This Chinese-altered image entered the Korean
peninsula during the Three Kingdoms period, when worship of the Maitreya Buddha was
widespread and Korean artists eventually began sculpting these images as well.
¡Û Korea's Gilt Bronze Maitreya Bodhisattva Pankasayusang
Currently there are close to 38 Pankasayusangs that still remain from the Three
Kingdoms period. Of these 38 statues, close to 24 are made from gilt bronze. The most
representative of these statues are the "Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang excavated in Pyongch'onli,
Pyongyang"(National Treasure #118), the "Square Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang"(National
Treasure #331) made by Paekche artists, the "Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang"(National Treasure
#78), and the "Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang"(National Treasure #83).
The height of the Pankasayusang, National Treasure #78 is 83.2 cm and the Maitreya
Bodhisattva is seen wearing a tall crown, ornated on three sides. The usual carved patterns
of Maitreya Bodhisattva's clothes on his lower body are evident on both the front and back
portions. On both the left and right sides of his belt is an ornamental belt hanging
downwards. This version is a little larger than National Treasure #83. Although National
Treasure #83 may have somewhat of a dull appearance, the Maitreya Bodhisattva is seen
wearing a neat 3-peaks crown and long clothing extending downwards. This particular image
attests to the superiority of the sculpting techniques of the Three Kingdoms in the East at
the time. The Pankasayusang made from wood in Kwangnyungsa Temple in Japan is very
similar to the Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang(National Treasure #83) of Korea.
left to right
Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang excavated in Pyongch'onli, Pyongyang"
(National Treasure #118)
Square Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang
(National Treasure #331)
Square Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang
(National Treasure #331)
Gilt Bronze Pankasayusang
(National Treasure #83)
