Annotated Mahavaipulya purnabudha Sutra (The Complete Enlightenment Sutra), Part 2 of Volume 2

The Mahavaipulya purnabuddha Sutra, also known by its short title "Wongakgyeong", is a sutra adopted as a set text for Korean monks, serving as a guide for Buddhist practice. It became widely popular in Korea after Jinul of Goryeo, who deeply revered it, gave it the name "Yoeuigyeong". This book is the Wongakgyeong with commentary added by the Tang-dynasty monk Jongmil; it forms the second part of the second volume. It was carved on woodblocks, printed on mulberry paper, and bound in the hojeopjang, or "butterfly-binding", style; it measures 34 cm in height and 19.8 cm in width. Hojeopjang refers to a bookbinding method in which each printed sheet is folded in half with the text facing inward, the folded sheets are stacked together, glue is applied to the outer edge of the fold, and a cover is then attached. The book has the structure of the Sokjanggyeong series, a comprehensive compilation of writings by various monks published during the reign of King Munjong of Goryeo, and its carving technique and typeface resemble those of the Daebanggwangbul hwaeomgyeongso (Treasure), though it shows signs of having been re-carved. It appears to be a Goryeo-period edition carved after a Song-dynasty edition was obtained, and its print condition suggests it is a later impression taken from woodblocks that had already been used once before. The discovery of this book completed the full set of commentaries on the Complete Enlightenment Sutra within the Sokjanggyeong series, and it is a valuable resource as a rare surviving example of a butterfly-bound book.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gwanak-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물