Xianshou's Numerical Dharma Categories

This book is a kind of dictionary that collects explanations, drawn from various Buddhist sermons, in which the Buddha's teachings are formalised into numerical categories and arranged in numerical order so that they can be easily looked up. As the original compilation of these "dharma numbers" by the Tang-dynasty monk Xianshou had not survived, the Ming-dynasty monk Xingshen recompiled it and had it published in 1427, the second year of the Xuande era. This Ming edition was obtained during the Chenghua era (1465-1487), and the monk Gyeongmin gathered support for the block-carving, which was first carried out in 1500, the sixth year of King Yeonsangun, at Bongseosa Temple on Gayasan Mountain in Hapcheon, Gyeongsang Province. In its arrangement, volumes 1 to 10 gather and explain the numerical categories corresponding to each number, while volume 11 collects together the categories corresponding to numbers beyond that, and at the end is appended the "Palsik Simwang Jemun Yogan." The surviving book is a woodblock print with a double-line border on all four sides, measuring 26 cm in height and 16 cm in width. Although the cover has been rebound with a yellow-paper, yellow-thread five-hole binding, the book is in good condition, and the printing is dark and finely done. Most editions printed afterwards belong to the line of reprints of this "Jeseung Beopsu."

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yongin, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산