Enlightenment with Commentaries by Buddhist Monk Nammyeong) Nammyeong Cheon hwasangsong jeungdoga (Song of (1984)

Jeungdoga (Song of Enlightenment) is a guide to Seon meditation practice written by the Tang-dynasty monk Xuanjue, with commentary elaborating the meaning of each passage added by the Song-dynasty Seon master Nammyeong Cheon. Nammyeong Cheon hwasangsong jeungdoga (Song of Enlightenment with Commentaries by Buddhist Monk Nammyeong) is one surviving copy of a re-carving made using as its model a metal-type edition already printed by Choe I in 1239, the 26th year of Emperor Gojong of Goryeo. It is a woodblock print on mulberry paper measuring 27.5 cm in height and 16.6 cm in width. At the beginning of the book is a piece written by O Yongcheonyong in 1077, and at the end a piece written by Chuk Hwang in 1076 when the printing blocks were carved. Following this is a note recording that, because the Jeungdoga, despite its importance to Seon Buddhism, had ceased to circulate, Choe I had it re-carved from the metal-type edition so that it would be handed down to later generations. The worn state of some characters suggests this copy was printed again well after the blocks were first carved, in the late Goryeo period. The uneven and slanted arrangement of the characters also reveals features typical of printing blocks assembled from individually cast type, while the varying size yet regular shape of the characters helps in understanding the appearance of early metal-type editions. This book is thought to have been printed no later than the early 13th century, and is highly valued as material for understanding the timing and character of movable-type printing in the Goryeo dynasty.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물