Big Dipper God (Chiseonggwang)

Three Sages Shrine (Samseonggak)
Gwanchoksa, Buyeo, Korea

In this painting from the temple's Three Sages Shrine, the Big Dipper God (center, portrayed as a Buddha) is surrounded by: (1) Sun and Moon (center top, gold halos); (2) the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper (green halos, attired like Buddhas); (3) Seven Star Officials (in Daoist attire); and (4) the Moonlight and Sunlight Bodhisattvas (bottom center), holding representations of the moon (viewer's left) and sun (viewer's right). These are folk deities assimilated from Chinese Daoism into Buddhism.

Big Dipper (Chilseong) iconography strongly parallels that of Bhaishajyaguru. The Medicine Buddha, like the Big Dipper God, is attended by Moonlight and Sunlight Bodhisattvas. Furthermore he has Seven Emanations (corresponding to the Seven Stars), and each emanation originated on a new day of the week (corresponding to the Seven Officials).