The Buddhist painting known as 'Birojana Three Sacred Buddhas', created in the 1910s during the early Japanese colonial period in Korea, has finally made its way back to the country after residing in Germany for 108 years. This return was facilitated through verification efforts by a private research team and the voluntary contributions of Buddhist practitioners from local temples. The Yangsan temple, Wolmyeongam, announced its return and will hold a public retrieval ceremony on the 21st of this month.

The painting, dated back to 1918, was confirmed through a research initiative by the Northeast Asia Buddhist Art Research Institute, which revealed its rare provenance. The artwork showcases detailed depictions of Bodhisattva riding an elephant and another on a lion on either side of the main holy image. This specific art piece is notable not only for its aesthetic and cultural significance but also for its rarity in terms of the information regarding its artists, Monks Wanho Jeonghee and Nak-hyun, who contributed to its creation.

The return of this artwork emphasizes a shift in how cultural heritage is repatriated, as it was accomplished through grassroots efforts rather than official government processes. The artwork is recognized as a vital heritage item that holds considerable historical significance within the realm of modern Buddhist painting in Korea. With continuous programs for meditation and cultural heritage transmission, Wolmyeongam stands as a hub for both practitioners and the general public, reaffirming the importance of community involvement in preserving historical and cultural artifacts.