Worinseokbo Gwon25

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.745-9

Category

Books & Records

Era

조선 세조 5년(1459)

Designated year

1997

Location

장흥군, 전라남도— 전남 장흥군 유치면 봉덕리 45번지 보림사

Coordinates

34.807578, 126.896515

Worin seokbo (Episodes from the Life of Sakyamuni Buddha) is a great collection of two Buddhist Sutras, namely, Worin cheongangjigok (Songs of the Moon's Reflection on a Thousand Rivers) and Seokbo sangjeol (Episodes from the Life of Sakyamuni Buddha), which was published in 1459 (the fifth year of the reign of King Sejo of the Joseon Dynasty). Seokbo means ‘Buddha’s chronology or biography.’ Seokbo sangjeol (Episodes from the Life of Sakyamuni Buddha) was translated into Korean from the Buddhist works by Grand Prince Suyang (later to become King Sejo) and published in 1446 (the 28th year of the reign of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty) in order to pray for the repose of Queen Soheon’s soul. In 1447, King Sejong read Seokbo sangjeol and composed a paean to its every two lines, which are collectively named Worin cheongangjigok (Songs of the Moon's Reflection on a Thousand Rivers). As Worin seokbo has not been handed down to the present in a complete set, the original number of the volumes is unknown. The system of compilation used for volume 25 of Worin seokbo is as follows: the lines of Worin cheongangjigok were arranged and followed by those commentaries from Seokbo sangjeol that corresponded to Worin cheongangjigok. However, the commentaries were revised and supplemented with contents from other sutras. Volume 25 can be divided into two parts; but two chapters and some other parts are missing. The first half presumably consisted of two to four poems, and comprises two-fifths of the whole volume. In the second half, seven poems from Worin cheongangjigok (chapters 577-583) were listed with the contents of volume 24 of Seokbo sangjeol. It was originally assumed that the total number of volumes of Worin seokbo was 24 or 25; however, with the discovery of volume 25, it became clear that Worin seokbo consisted of 25 volumes in total. Worin seokbo is considered a very valuable material for research on Buddhism and bibliography in Korea during the early Joseon Dynasty.

Location