The "Lion and Kunlun Slave" image: A motif of Buddhist art found in Unified Silla funerary sculpture

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Abstract

This paper explores two main issues. The first issue is the Southeast Asian figure of the Kunlunnu 崑崙奴 and the appearance of this figure in East Asian Buddhist art; specifically, how this figure is portrayed as the lion tamer of Mañjuśrî. The second concern is centered on examples of the "Lion and Kunlunnu" image that appear in the tombs of Unified Silla (676-935). Until now, the figure carved on the corner pillar of the Unified Silla royal tomb at Kujong-dong 九政洞 has been identified as a "Westerner with a polo stick." This paper proposes that the figure and the adjacent lion relief should be reinterpreted as a representation of the Buddhist image of the "lion and Kunlunnu" attendant of Mañjuśrî. Thus, this relief serves as an example of the close relationship between the sculpture of the Unified Silla royal tombs and Buddhist art.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)153-178
Number of pages26
JournalSungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2018

Keywords

  • "Lion and Kunlunnu," Mañjuśrî
  • Buddhist art
  • Royal tombs
  • Unified Silla dynasty

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