Daebanggwangbulhwaeomgyeong Jinbon Gwon4

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.685

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려 숙종 3년(1098)

Designated year

1981

Location

중구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 중구

Coordinates

37.563808, 126.997555

Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra, otherwise called Avatamsaka Sutra for short, is the first canon of the Avatamsaka sect that argues that Buddha and the multitude are one. Along with the Lotus Sutra, it is the canon that contributed most to the establishment of Buddhism in Korea.This is Volume 4 of the Jin Version of Avatamsaka Sutra, the 60 books translated by Buddhabhadra of East Jin. Parts of the 60 books have been lost. The letters were carved on wood and then printed on paper. The papers were put together into a roll. It is 29.3 cm in length and 516 cm in width. The date of production is uncertain, for there is no record. However, some facts make it possible to guess the date. First, the numbers of books and chapters are written in the space before the main text. From this and from the color of ink, as well as the state of the printed text, it seems to have the same date of production as the 37th volume (National Treasure no. 202) of the Jin Version of Avatamsaka Sutra, printed in 1098. Probably, it was engraved and printed in the reign of King Sukjong (1096-1105) of Goryeo. Although this copy is not complete, it is considered an invaluable piece in the study of wood block printing in early Goryeo.

Location