Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 175

Pensive Bodhisattva
Reminiscent of The Thinker by the 19th century French sculptor August Rodin, The Pensive
Bodhisattva was created during the Three Kingdoms period in the 7 th century. It is considered to
be one of the finest examples of ancient Korean art. Approximately 70 statues of pensive
bodhisattvas exist all over the world; this statue is considered to be the most famous. The statue
expresses the spirit of the Bodhisattva who is meditating on the suffering of human beings and
how to ease their suffering.
The 7 th century Sarira Reliquary of the Kamunsa
Temple is unparalleled in beauty and craftsmanship. In Buddhism the sarira are marble-like
relics that remain after an enlighten ed being was cremated. A sarira reliquary is a work of art that
is made to hold those relics. Since sarira are considered sacred, the greatest artistic skill and most
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