During the Koryŏ dynasty Buddhism was supported by the royal family and aristocrats who instigated the production of many lavish Buddhist works of art, including paintings and sutras (sermons attributed to the Buddha). The three most popular figures were Amitabha Buddha (Buddha of the Western Paradise) and the bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara and Ksitigarbha. Bodhisattvas are Buddhas-to-be, who have deferred final Enlightenment so as to dedicate their lives to the welfare of all beings.

In the paintings the figures are wearing elaborate gold-decorated robes and the bodhisattvas are further adorned with jewellery. Koryŏ Buddhist paintings are renowned for their richness and delicacy of colour. The intensity of colour was achieved by first applying paint to the back and then to the front of the silk. Gold was applied last, and only to the front. In particular Koryŏ painters excelled in depicting the delicate transparent scarves worn by the bodhisattvas.

The writing and commissioning of Buddhist manuscripts was an important meritorious deed that would enable the devotee to be reborn in paradise. Great care was therefore lavished on their creation, leading to the establishment of the Royal Scriptorium where luxurious editions of Buddhist sutras were made. The skill of Koryŏ Buddhist scribes and illustrators was renowned also in China and Japan.