Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper, Volumes 1 and 3

The Lotus Sutra, also known for short as the Beopwhagyeong, holds as its central idea that the path to becoming a Buddha is open to everyone. As the fundamental scripture of the Cheontae school, it greatly influenced, together with the Hwaeom school, the establishment of Buddhist thought in Korea. This Transcription of the Lotus Sutra in Ink on White Paper, Volumes 1 and 3, was written directly in ink on white paper; of the original seven volumes, only Volumes 1 and 3 survive. Each volume is made so that it can be unfolded like a folding screen; when folded, Volume 1 measures 37.5 cm in height and 13.5 cm in width, and Volume 3 measures 34.7 cm in height and 12.5 cm in width. Differences in size and handwriting between the two volumes suggest that they were produced over a long period by more than one hand. The outer cover of each volume bears an elaborate floral pattern and title in gold, and at the beginning of Volume 3 a byeonsangdo — a frontispiece illustration summarising the content of the sutra — is painted in gold. A colophon at the end of Volume 3 records the circumstances of its production: it states that in 1389, the first year of King Chang of Goryeo, Lady Jang, known by her Buddhist name Myou, had the sutra made for her deceased parents and for all sentient beings. This shows that the sutra was produced to accumulate personal religious merit.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물