Painting of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Ten Underworld Kings

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is believed to lead people in profound pain from the entrance of hell to heaven. Thus, the god protecting hell and the judge of hell often appear on the paintings of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. At the center of this painting, the Bodhisattva is depicted very largely; arranged on the right and left under the Bodhisattva are the Ten Underworld Kings, Four Guardian Kings, and Buddhist saints. This painting clearly shows that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was the main feature of the belief on Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Ten Underworld Kings. As one of the ten remaining Buddhist paintings made in the Goryeo Period, it is presumed to have been painted in the 14th century. It provides valuable information on the Buddhist paintings of the Goryeo Period.