This painting depicts Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who made a vow to save all the dead suffering in hell, accompanied by his attendants. Below Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Venerable Daoming and Ghost King Poisonless are standing with their hands clasped together. They are surrounded by messengers who guide souls, the Ten Kings who judge sins of the souls in the underworld, and their assistant officials.
This painting was produced by four monk-painters led by Cheonyeo, one of the leading monk-painters of the nineteenth century. Born in Naju in 1794, Cheonyeo entered the Buddhist priesthood at Seonamsa Temple in Suncheon at the age of fifteen. He is known to have undertaken the study of painting under Doil at around the age of seventeen or eighteen. In addition to producing Buddhist paintings, he was well-versed in regilding Buddhist sculptures and adding dancheong (ornamental painting) to Buddhist buildings. Cheonyeo made a constant effort to practice asceticism and accrued a reputation as a Seon master.