Commentary on the Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra), Volumes 84, 100, and 117

The Commentary on the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra), often shortened to the 'Avatamsaka Sutra', is based on the fundamental idea that the Buddha and sentient beings are not two but one. It is the core scripture of the Hwaeom (Avatamsaka) school and, together with the Lotus Sutra, greatly influenced the establishment of Buddhist thought in Korea. This book comprises three volumes bound as three folded booklets (Volumes 84, 100 and 117), drawn from a 120-volume commentary on the Avatamsaka Sutra written by Chengguan of the Tang dynasty and annotated by Jingyuan of the Song dynasty. The booklets can be unfolded like a screen; each measures 32.2 cm in height and 10.7 cm in width. The book was printed from woodblocks carved with Jingyuan's commentary, which were sent from Song China to State Preceptor Uicheon of Goryeo, with whom Jingyuan had a close friendship. Records show that in 1423, the fifth year of King Sejong of Joseon, these very woodblocks were sent to Japan in response to a Japanese request for the Tripitaka woodblocks. They stand as living evidence of the cultural exchange through Buddhism among the three countries at that time, and among all surviving editions, this is the cleanest, with excellent printing and binding.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gwanak-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물