Transcription of Amoghapasha kalparaja Sutra in Silver on Indigo Paper, Volume 13

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.210

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려 충렬왕 1년(1275)

Designated year

1984

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가, 국립중앙박물관)

Coordinates

37.536528, 126.996187

This book is hand-written in silver ink on dark blue papers and made in the form of a scroll. This is Book No. 13 of a set consists of 30 books in total. It is recovered from Japan. The character 'Mo'(慕), the first letter in the Book of Thousand Characters, written at the end of the title on the book cover implies that the books are numbered according to the order of the characters as they appear in the Book of Thousand Characters. It also tells that this is part of the Tripitaka. At the beginning of the book is a golden painting of a heavenly guard who protects the scriptures. The text of the scripture is written in silver. The remark at the end of the book says that this scripture is made under the guidance of the king himself in 1275 (the first year of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo). The remark on the back cover reveals that the writings in the text are those of a Great Buddhist Monk by the name of Samjung Anche. Although many types of scriptures made during the Goryeo Period are passed down to today, this book draws our attention because this is the oldest one made during that period. The painting of heavenly guard found at the beginning and the remark at the end that tells story behind its production certainly increase its value. The calligraphy written with utmost efforts further raises the quality of this Buddhist treasure.

Location