Myobeobyeonhwagyeong Gwon7(1987)

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.918

Category

Books & Records

Era

고려 충렬왕 14년(1288)

Designated year

1987

Location

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

Coordinates

37.564993, 126.964911Kakao address conversion

Saddharmapundarika Sutra (Lotus Sutra) is the principal scripture of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism. The main idea of the book is that the way to become a Buddha is to open to everyone. Along with the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra), this sutra was a principal scripture that wielded great influence on the establishment of Buddhist thoughts in Korea. Volume 7 of Saddharmapundarika Sutra is the last one of its Chinese translation by Kumarajiva of the Later Qin and was printed on mulberry paper using woodblocks. It measures 28.8 cm long and 9.1 cm wide when folded like a folding screen. It is assumed to have been preserved in a Buddhist statue since its front and back covers are lost, with the present covers made later. On the upper part of the main texts are the notes for each article, linked with texts with lines. At the end of the book is a record stating that this book was printed with the woodblocks carved by a monk named Jaesaek in 1288 (14th year of the reign of King Chungnyeol of the Goryeo Dynasty). The printing quality suggests that it is not the first edition, and some of the record has been lost due to damages on the last pages. Even though several kinds of Saddharmapundarika Sutra of the Goryeo Dynasty remain today, it is a very rare case for the notes for articles to be linked to the text for its systematic understanding.

Location