Joseon Transcription of Buddhist Sutras in Gwangdeoksa Temple, Cheonan

This is a sagyeong, a transcribed sutra, handed down at Gwangdeoksa Temple in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. A sagyeong is a sutra whose text has been carefully copied out and lavishly decorated. It comprises the Bumo Eunjunggyeong (Sutra on the Deep Kindness of Parents) and the Jangsu Myeoljoe Hoje Dongja Darani-gyeong (Dharani Sutra for Prolonging Life, Eliminating Sin and Protecting Children), both written in ink on white paper in a form that unfolds like a folding screen. The Bumo Eunjunggyeong divides the kindness of parents into ten great categories, explaining each, and encourages believers to make offerings and to read and recite the sutra in order to repay that kindness. Unlike other sutras, it is distinctive for having a painting illustrating each section of text. The Jangsu Myeoljoe Hoje Dongja Darani-gyeong teaches methods of eliminating all sin and achieving long life by relying on the power of the Buddha or through spiritual practice. A colophon at the end of the Bumo Eunjunggyeong reveals that it was made through the sponsorship of Prince Hyoryeong (1396–1486), second son of King Taejong of Joseon, together with his wife and son. It offers a glimpse into the Buddhist faith of Prince Hyoryeong, who played a major role in promoting Buddhism in the early Joseon period, and is a valuable resource for research into the cultural history of Buddhism and into bibliographic studies.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Cheonan, Chungnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물