Daebanggwangbulhwaeomgyeong Jubon Gwon17, 52

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.688

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려 숙종 3년(1098)

Designated year

1981

Location

중구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 중구

Coordinates

No precise coordinates are available, so this item is not shown as a map marker. To be added later.

Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra is otherwise called Avatamsaka Sutra for short. It 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. These are Volumes 17 and 52 of the 80 volumes of the main text of Avatamsaka Sutra, translated by Silchananta of the Tang Dynasty. Each volume is in paper rolls. The letters were engraved on wood blocks and then printed on paper. Vol. 17 is 29.2 cm in length and 484.8 cm in width. Vol. 52 is 29.6 cm in length and 874.7 in width. The date of production is uncertain, for there is no record. However, some facts make it possible to guess the date of production. First, the number of books and chapters are written in the space before the main text. From this and 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.