Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra), Zhou Version, the First Tripitaka Koreana Edition, Volumes 2 and 75

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.266

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려시대(12세기)

Designated year

1991

Location

관악구, 서울특별시— 서울 관악구 남부순환로152길 53, 호림박물관 (신림동,호림박물관)

Coordinates

37.481072, 126.918352

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 have the greatest influence in the establishment of Korean Buddhist philosophy. These are Books No. 2 and 75 among the 80 books of the Avatamsaka Sutra Main Edition translated by Silchananta of the Tang Dynasty of China. They are produced by woodblock printing on mulberry papers in the form of a scroll by joining the papers together in a row. Book No. 2 is 46.5cm long and 28.7cm wide, while Book 75 is 46.1cm long and 29.8cm wide. There is no letter missing from the text or no character different in its meaning. Nonetheless, abbreviated characters are used more often than in the books published by the government press center established in the 23rd year of King Gojong or 1236 A.D. The omission of a stroke from the two characters pronounced 'gyeong' (敬 and 竟) indicates that the books are produced using the print made during the Song Dynasty of China. These two characters are found in the name of the grandfather of the founder of the Song Dynasty of China. Although the exact date of their production is unknown because there is no record on it, it seems that they seem to be one of the Tripitaka from the early Goryeo Period and produced around the 12th century.

Location