Transcription of Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra) in Gold on Indigo Paper

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.235

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려시대 후기(14세기)

Designated year

1986

Location

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

Coordinates

37.538427, 126.965444

Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra is also called by its shortened name the Avatamsaka Sutra. This is the principal scripture in Korea's Avatamsaka Sect. The main idea in this Buddhist scripture is that the Buddha and all other living things are not two different entities, but one. Among many books in the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Book of Bohyeonhaengwonpum contains the teachings of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva that show how to enter into the world of enlightenment. This book is one of the five books, consisting of The Book of Geumgang, The Book of Longevity, The Book of Mita, The Book of Parental Grace and Bohyeonhaengwonpum that are published by a man called Yiyaseonbulhwa of Goryeo Period with a prayer for his own health and longevity as well as the well-being of his family. The contents are hand-written with all his hearts in gold ink on the pieces of blue papers. It is made in the form of a folding screen 9.6cm long and 26.4cm wide. There are flowers described in gold and silver color on the cover. At the center of the cover is the title of the book Bohyeonhaengwonpum (Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra Haengwonpum) written in gold. The first page of the book shows a fine piece of painting sophisticatedly colored in gold, which describes the summary of the book. The exact year of production is not known because the year written at the end of the book is erased. Nonetheless, the fact that the content of book starts with the character 'ji (至)' as well as the overall quality of the book implies that this is published sometime between 1341 and 1367 at the end of the Goryeo Period. This book had been kept in Japan until it was retuned recently to Korea. Besides the damage found in several places caused by excessive humidity, it is preserved in a relatively good condition. In particular, because the painting titled Haengwonpum byeonsang mungyeonghwa found on the back of the summary painting reveals the name of the artist who produced it, this book provides valuable information on the Buddhist art of the ancient Goryeo Period.

Location