Buseoksa Goryeo Woodblocks, Yeongju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.735

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1982

Location

영주시, 경상북도— 경북 영주시 부석면 북지리 148 부석사

Coordinates

36.998971, 128.687999

These printing woodblocks of Buddhist scriptures kept at Buseoksa Temple consist of three versions of the Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra, including the Jeongwon Version (40 volumes), Jin Version (60 volumes) and Zhou Version (80 volumes) of the Avatamsaka Sutra engraved on wood. The Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra, often abbreviated as the Avatamsaka Sutra, is the basic sutra of the Hwaeom Order of Korean Buddhism. It, together with the Beophwagyeong (The Lotus Sutra), exercised great influence on the establishment of Korean Buddhism. The Jeongwon Version comprises 40 volumes of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Banya; the Jin Version corresponds to 60 volumes of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Bultabaltara; and the Zhou Version comprises 80 volumes of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Shilchananta. There are 634 woodblocks engraved on wood in total, consisting, notably, of a specific arrangement of 34 letters per line. It is estimated that these printing woodblocks date from the 13th or 14th century, based on sutras introduced from the Khitan. They constitute an important resource as the only remaining woodblocks in the Khitan line. Moreover, they have significant value in that it is kept at Buseoksa Temple, which was established by the founder of the Hwaeom Order of Korean Buddhism, Buddhist Monk Uisang, and which developed the principles of Hwaeom.

Location