Myobeobyeonhwagyeong(1981)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.693

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려 충렬왕12년(1286)

Designated year

1981

Location

용산구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 용산구 서빙고로 137 (용산동6가, 국립중앙박물관)

Coordinates

37.538427, 126.965444

The Lotus Sutra is the first canon of Tien-tai, or the Heavenly Terrace sect, and it had a huge influence on the establishment of Buddhism in Korea. It is made into a booklet to be carried easily. The whole seven volumes are printed in 100 chapters and in small letters onto 95 plates. A note by Seongmin at the end of the book tells the exact production date: his apprentices Yi Huiryeo and Jo Geun made the wood-blocks and printed it in 1286. The papers used in printing are very thin and to reduce the weight further, there is no cover. The booklet was placed inside Buddha Statue. The original intention seems to have been to attach it to the clothes of Buddha images. For a booklet, the plates are delicate and the letters readable. The papers are white and clean, as if it has only recently been drawn out of a Buddha. It is an excellent example of such a booklet.

Location