Mahayana abhidharma samucchaya vyakhya (Collection of the Mahayana Abhidharma), the First Tripitaka Koreana Edition, Volume 14

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.251

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려 현종 연간(1011-1029)

Designated year

1989

Location

서대문구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 서대문구 충정로9길 10-10 (충정로2가, (재)현담문고)

Coordinates

37.564993, 126.964911Kakao address conversion

In general, the Buddhist scriptures can be divided into three groups: bible, commandments and theories. The Abidharma is the theoretical part of the scriptures that provides a systematic explanation of the wisdom of Buddha. The Collection of Discourse by Daeseung Abidhrlma provides a systematic guide to Buddha's wisdom needed for the living things to practice to enter Nirvana. This scripture was translated by Hyeonjang, a famous monk in the Tang Dynasty of China. It is Book No. 14 of a total of 27 volumes. The letters are carved in woodblocks and printed on the thick and sturdy pieces of paper. This is a part of the Tripitaka Original made in the reign of King Hyeonjong of the Goryeo Period. It is made in the form a folding screen, which is 12.2cm long and 31cm wide. The list of Tripitaka shows individual scriptures in the order of Chinese characters as they appear in the Book of Thousand Characters. The book is the one that has been stored in a treasure box named 'bo (寶)'. The chapters are named 'jang (丈)' from 1 to 26, while the last chapter is named with a different character 'jang (張)'. This implies that the chapters are more often named with the fist type of 'jang (丈)' in the copies of Goryeo Tripitaka made during the Goryeo Period. The last stroke of the character 'gyeong (竟)' is omitted in the text. The quality of the paper, engraving technique and the color of ink imply that the book is made in the 11th century. It has been preserved in a relatively good condition.

Location