Daebanggwangbulhwaeomgyeongso Gwon41

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.964

Category

Books & Records

Designated year

1988

Location

단양군, 충청북도— 충청북도 단양군 백자길 9 (영춘면, 불교천태중앙박물관)

Coordinates

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As the most fundamental text for Korean Huayan Buddhism, Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra) has had seminal influence on Korean Buddhist philosophy along with the Saddharmapundarika Sutra (Lotus Sutra). The central idea expressed in this sutra is the unity of Buddha and sentient beings. This text is the 41st of a total of 120 volumes annotated by Jing Yuan of the Song Dynasty. Printed on mulberry paper using woodblocks, this folded book measures 10.7 cm wide and 31.8 cm long. According to a record shown in the beginning, the original woodblocks made in the Song Dynasty were sent by Jing Yuan to State Preceptor Daegak. After that, this book was published in 1372 (21st year of the reign of King Gongmin of the Goryeo Dynasty) along with the frontispiece illustration describing the main contents of the sutra. Volumes 1 to 4 of Inwang hoguk banyagyeong (Annotated Humane King Sutra, Treasure No. 890) and Volume 42 of the Commentary on the Avatamsaka Sutra (Treasure No. 891) share many similarities with this book in terms of printing conditions; thus confirming the exact period of its publication. Moreover, this book is regarded as a valuable material since it has the frontispiece illustration of the Avatamsaka Sutra on the first page.