성주사 삼천불전지 출토 소조상과 납입품

A Study on the clay Buddhist images excavated in Three-Thousand Buddhas haIl(三千佛殿) of Seongju-sa Temple Site(聖住寺址) and Enshrining relics, in Dongguk University Museum possession

The clay Buddhist images excavated in Three-Thousand Buddhas hall were estimated to be small statues of approximately 30~40cm and it was found in enshrining relics in ceramics or earthen wares shape of Lotus bud of five fragments of certain type of Buddhist images clothing of Tongkyun type(通肩式). It is no doubt in the fact that this ceramics or earthenwares shape of Lotus bud were specially produced for enshrining relic within the clay Bbuddhist images. In presume the manufacturing techniques and sequence, the first, enshrining the ceramic or earthenware shape of lotus bud with facing up bottom it is located on a clod of clay mixed bits of straw and pieces of ceramic or roof tiles at the hight of chest and finish to make a part of head of buddhist image with clay and dry the completed statues and fire at a lower temperature. Therefore, it estimated as a sarira enshrined relic to the Buddhist image, and is interpreted as the first example of enshrined relic within clay Buddhist image. As the praticee of enshrinment a relic within the clay buddhist statue, in this study I tride to provide resource about the enshrined condition and manufacturing sequence of this clay buddhist image and relic container for the future progress of research. In addition to, it is expected that the nature of objects of applied arts manufactured for buddhist statue enshrinements is closely examined through more excavation and investigation.