Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra), Zhou Version, Volume 36

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.204

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1981

Location

중구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 중구

Coordinates

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Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra is also called by its shortened name the Avatamsaka Sutra. Along with the Lotus Sutra, this principal scripture of the Avatamsaka Sutra is one of the books that had the greatest influence in the establishment of Korean Buddhist philosophy. This is Book No. 36 among the 80 books translated by Sikṣānanda of the Tang Dynasty of China. The book is produced by woodblock printing on mulberry papers joined together in a row and designed to be stored in the form of a scroll. The scroll is 1253.3cm long and 29.8cm wide. Compared to Book No. 6 of Jin Version of Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra (National Treasure No. 685) published under King Sukjong of the Goryeo Period, it has slightly larger letter types and woodblocks. At the beginning of the book is the painting describing the summary of the scripture. The painting has a similar composition as the copy kept at Haeinsa Temple, but the former much more exquisite than the latter. This seems to be the oldest piece of work among the ones known to date.