Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra), Volume 1

The Lotus Sutra, often shortened to the Beophwagyeong, holds as its central idea that the path to becoming a Buddha is open to everyone. As the fundamental scripture of the Cheontae (Tiantai) school, it had, together with the Avatamsaka Sutra, a profound influence on the establishment of Korean Buddhist thought. This volume is Volume 1 of the seven-volume Lotus Sutra translated by Kumārajīva of the Later Qin dynasty, a woodblock edition printed on mulberry paper. It is made in an accordion-fold format that opens out like a folding screen, measuring 26 cm in height and 10.6 cm in width. The dark blue-black cover bears the title written in gold, and the front of the volume carries a byeonsangdo, an illustration summarising the content of the sutra. The volume recording the date of publication has been lost, so the exact date cannot be determined. However, since its body text matches that of the Suneungeomgyeong (Treasure), made by the monk Sinchong at King Taejo's command in 1401, the first year of King Seongjong's reign, this volume is thought to have been produced at the same time.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeoju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Treasure · 보물