Lotus Sutra (eonhae)

The Lotus Sutra, written in black ink on white paper, is held and managed by Guinsa Temple in Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do. It is a Buddhist scripture that five Buddhist women of the Joseon period transcribed by hand in Hangeul, each copying an assigned volume. It is also known as the 'Ink-written Lotus Sutra' or simply the 'Lotus Sutra'. It comprises seven volumes in seven books, each measuring 32.5 cm by 22.7 cm. The transcription began in September 1909 and, about three months later, was completed on 25 November of the same year with the copying of the seventh and final volume. The women who transcribed the sutra were Bang Ui-gyeong (aged 17), Bang Jeong-deok-hwa (aged 65), Yi Man-beop-haeng (aged 45), Eun In-gwi (aged 23), and a woman surnamed Yi (aged 24); all five appear to have belonged to the same family. At the end of the seventh volume is a dedicatory vow written on completing the sagyeong, the act of copying out a sutra: "By the merit of Amitabha Buddha's forty-eight vows to deliver all sentient beings, may we too attain salvation. Homage to Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva, and homage to all the pure and assembled bodhisattvas and mahasattvas. May each of our heartfelt wishes be fulfilled." This suggests that, amid the turmoil of 1909 as the fall of the Joseon Dynasty drew near, the women copied out this Lotus Sutra as an act of religious devotion, earnestly praying through Amitabha Buddha's forty-eight great vows for the salvation of all beings and the fulfilment of their own wishes, while accumulating merit. Among the five, the volume copied by Bang Ui-gyeong, the youngest, shows the most even brushwork, written with great care in a refined palace-style script. A distinctive feature is that a short strip of silk was attached to each page, so that the leaves could be turned during copying or recitation without moistening a finger with saliva. The Lotus Sutra of Guinsa Temple was designated a Chungcheongbuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage on 22 October 2004.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Danyang, Chungbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산