Commentary on the Vimalakirti nirdesa Sutra (Holy Teachings of Vimalakirti), Volumes 3-4

Jeongmyeonggyeong is a name that explains the meaning of the Vimalakirti Sutra. The Vimalakirti Sutra is a shortened name for the Vimalakirti-nirdesa Sutra, which compiles, in dramatic form, the teachings preached by the layman Vimalakirti on behalf of the Buddha. The Commentary on the Vimalakirti-nirdesa Sutra (Jeongmyeonggyeong jipae gwanjungso), Volumes 3-4, was published by adding the views of the Tang-dynasty monk Doaek to the Vimalakirti Sutra that had earlier been annotated by the Jin-dynasty monk Seungjo. It is a woodblock-printed edition on mulberry paper, with Volumes 3 and 4 bound together as a single book, measuring 34.2 cm in height and 29.5 cm in width. Only two copies of the Jeongmyeonggyeong gwanjungso discovered at Dunhuang in China, and four volumes collected by Uicheon, are known to exist; this book is the surviving volume containing Volumes 3 and 4 of the four volumes recorded in Uicheon's Sinpyeon jejong gyojang chongnok (Comprehensive Catalogue of the Doctrinal Repertory of All Schools). A note at the end of each volume records that it was published at Heungwangsa Temple in 1095, the first year of King Heonjong of Goryeo, showing that it is an edition of the Gyojang (Supplement to the Buddhist Canon) published by Uicheon. However, its typeface, carving, print condition and paper quality resemble those of the Geumgang banyagyeongso gaehyeoncho, printed by the Gangyeong Dogam (an office established in 1461, the seventh year of King Sejo, to translate and publish Buddhist scriptures in Hangeul) during the reign of King Sejo, so it is presumed to be an edition re-carved and printed from the Gyojang during the reign of King Sejo of Joseon. The Dunhuang edition contains many incorrect characters and its text is often partly missing or out of order; since this book allows such errors to be corrected and supplemented, it is regarded as valuable material.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물