Temple Paintings		click on pictures below to enlarge.
	Main Platform Painting (Dharma Assembly on Mt. Grdhrakuta) Colors on cotton, 145 cm (H) x 220cm(W) Haeinsa Temple Propagation Hall, Jakarta, Indonesia 1998 This is the most common type of painting found at the main platform in Korean Buddhist temples. Sakyamuni Buddha is delivering the Lotus Sutra, and below him are Four Great Bodhisattvas (from the Buddha's right to left, Mahashamaprapta, Manjusri, Samantabhadra and Avalokitesvara); two of his 10 disciples to either side (larger paintings usually include all 10 disciples); and in the four corners, the Guardians of the Four Directions. Sakyamuni Platform Painting (Lotus Sutra Dharma Assembly) Gobulsa Temple, Orangevale, California 2003 The Buddha's mudra is different, and in this painting only two bodhisattvas attend him, Manjusri to his lower left and Samanthabadra to his lower right. The aura is also larger and more colorful and it lacks a border to imply that the Buddha's aura flows throughout the universes. I also did his robes in chocolate brown, which tends to bring out both the aura colors and the gold designs on the robes better. Click on the photo..
	Amitabha Shrine Painting (abbreviated) Colors on cotton, 110cm (H) x 88cm (W) Private Collection, Germany 1998 An abbreviated version of an Amitabha Platform Painting, this shrine painting includes the Four Great Bodhisattvas and two disciples. Avalokitesvara, with a small Amitabha in her crown, is the Bodhisattva of Compassion and is always to the inside left of Amitabha ( Buddha of Infinite Light ), as opposed to the outside left in a platform painting featuring Sakyamuni Buddha (above). .
	Guardian Painting Sejinam Hermitage, Seoul 2004 Guardian paintings are some of Korea's most unique and interesting paintings. They are usually at the Guardian Platform on the wall to the Buddha's left in a Korean temple. The figures range from eight to 104, and they include a fascinating range of devas, gods, and spirits from India, Southeast Asia and China as well as Korean folk gods. The painting serves to protect the Buddha and bodhisattvas, the Dharma, the temple grounds, and all who come to practice. The central figure is Skanda, son of Shiva, and the two haloed figures above are Brahma and Indra, all from Hinduism. .
	Buddhist Jewels Backdrop for a Private Shrine Colors on hemp, 120cm (H) x 120cm (W) Seoul, 1995 The jewels of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas symbolize their many virtues and compassion in particular, and are considered crystallizations of the fragrance from their virtuous deeds. This original work features the jewels taken from the line drawings of large Buddha and Avalokitesvara Thangka paintings which are displayed outdoors on ceremonial occasions such as Buddha's Birthday. In this private shrine, a statue of Buddha sits in the front center, with the white lotus just above his head. .

	Bodhisattva Paintings
	Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom Colors on mulberry paper, 90cm (H) x 60cm (W) Munsusa (Manjusri) Temple, Wakefield, Mass., U.S.A. 1992 Representing Buddha's twin pillars of wisdom and compassion, respectively, the Bodhisattvas Manjusri and Samantabhadra often appear together unless a temple is dedicated to one of them. They also appear as supportive to Sakyamuni Buddha in a main platform painting as in the first picture in the "Temple Paintings" section. Samantabhadra often appears on an elephant while Manjusri rides a lion-like creature. This version of Manjusri was done on paper and scrolled for the Munsusa (Manjusri) Temple in Massachusetts. .
	Lotus Lantern Avalokitesvara Colors on hemp, 121cm (H) x 56cm (W) Lotus Lantern International Buddhist Center, Seoul, 1992 Lotus lanterns represent wisdom and enlightenment. They are used throughout Korea around the time of Buddha's Birthday (the 8th day of the 4th lunar month each year, usually in May), both at temples and in parades. In recent years, lantern festivals have also been held along major rivers with candle-lit lanterns floated down the river. Although not one of the traditional 32 forms of Avalokitesvara, this Lotus Lantern Avalokitesvara was done for the International Buddhist Center bearing the name. .
	Avalokitesvara Colors on hemp, 115cm (H) x 62cm (W) Private collection, Seoul, 1997 A traditional painting material, hemp is used less commonly nowadays, particularly for large temple paintings; but it is excellent for a variety of smaller works. The hemp brings out the strength of the traditional tanch'ong colors used in Korean Buddhist art. This Avalokitesvara was taken from the line drawing of an old temple painting and it is unusual in that Vairocana (the Cosmic Buddha associated with the Avatamsaka Sutra) stands in the crown instead of Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, who usually sits in the crown. .
	Avalokitesvara India ink on mulberry paper, 135cm (H) x 70cm (W) Line is the most important ingredient of all Oriental art and training in Buddhist art requires months and even years of practice to perfect an even line throughout the painting. This line drawing variation of Avalokitesvara (notice Amitabha in the crown) is simple with shaded areas of light India ink and a touch of pink on the lotus. .
	Bodhisattva of Healing Colors on mulberry paper, 90cm (H) x 60cm (W) Private collection, Germany Like the Healing Buddha, the Bodhisattva of Healing holds a medicine bowl in hand. The Healing Buddha is a common, and sometimes complex painting found in many temples throughout Korea, often with accompanying statues. Paintings of the Healing Bodhisattva are less common but may be found in smaller shrines. .
	Avalokitesvara India ink on mulberry paper, 135cm (H) x 70cm (W) Private collection, Seoul This is the same line drawing as the ink drawing above , except that gradations of India ink were used on the same line drawing on either side of the central Avalokitesvara to create the effect of an emerging apparition. .