Juinwanghogukbanyagyeong Gwon1~4

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.890

Category

Books & Records

Designated year

1986

Location

서대문구, 서울특별시— 서울특별시 서대문구 충정로9길 10-10 (충정로2가) (재)현담문고

Coordinates

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Inwang banyagyeong (Humane King Sutra) is the basic scripture of the state-protected Buddhism in Korea. The people of Silla and Goryeo are said to have raised the spirit of defending their fatherlands with this scripture. Juinwang hoguk banyagyeong was the interpretation of the Humane King Sutra done by Jingyuan of the Song Dynasty of China. This book, printed on mulberry paper with woodblocks, consists of one book with four volumes and measures 29.7cm long and 18.8cm wide. According to a record written by State Preceptor Uicheon, one more volume was attached to the last part to explain each paragraph of the scripture and aid in people’s understanding, but it is now missing. Though there is no record of its publication, this book is assumed to be part of the Supplement to the Tripitaka Koreana produced by Uicheon in the early 11th century. It shows similarities to some remaining sutras from the Supplement to the Tripitaka Koreana in Japan in terms of the formation of woodblocks, inscription style, and font of the characters. In spite of the delicate inscription of the block, it seems to have been reprinted with the supplement of the original, since there are some traces of repair work. This book is highly valuable as one of the Supplements to the Tripitaka Koreana, which is rarely handed down in Korea.