Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Gold on Indigo Paper, Volumes 3-4

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.314

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려 말기

Designated year

1963

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 일정로 186, 국립경주박물관 (인왕동,국립경주박물관)

Coordinates

35.829387, 129.227912

Myobeopyeonhwagyeong (Saddharmapundarika Sutra), called Beophwagyeong for short, is the basic sutra of Cheontae Order, one of the Korean Buddhist sects. Its basic idea is that everyone can be Buddha. Together with Hwaeomgyeong (Avatamsaka Sutra), Myobeopyeonhwagyeong had a vast influence on the establishment of Korean Buddhism as the best seller among the Korean Buddhist sutras. Volumes 3 and 4 were written in gold letters on indigo paper, copying the sutra and then decorating it. They are foldable, and when folded, it is 31 cm long and 11 cm wide. The patterns on the cover page of volumes 3 and 4 are a little different, but both have its title in common on the cover and follow the standard of sagyeong, copying the sutra and then decorating it with flower designs. The purpose and the exact year of the book are hard to discover for the other volumes are missing, but judging by its dedication and fine penmanship, it was probably written in the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1329).

Location