Eojegwanmuryangsubulgyeong Sutra

Translated by Gangnyangyasa of the Western Regions during the Liu Song dynasty (AD 420–478), this sutra is one of the most widely known scriptures describing the path to the Pure Land, the realm where the Buddha of Immeasurable Life (Amitayus, another name for Amitabha) dwells. Together with the Bulseol Muryangsu-gyeong (the Sutra of Immeasurable Life) and the Bulseol Amita-gyeong (the Amitabha Sutra), it is counted among the Three Pure Land Sutras, and it represents Pure Land thought. This edition was printed by Seok Dobu of Ming. It was published in 1451, when Emperor Injong of Ming, upon his accession, sought to pray for the repose of his late predecessor, Emperor Taejong; why it came to be published in Joseon, however, is unknown. A woodblock edition carved at Naewonam Hermitage on Samgaksan Mountain in 1853, the fourth year of King Cheoljong, is known to survive today, held at the Kyujanggak Archives of Seoul National University, but comparison with that Naewonam edition suggests that this copy dates from an earlier period. Comprising one volume in one book, it contains eleven illustrated frontispieces, each corresponding to one of the Sixteen Contemplations — methods of attaining rebirth in the Pure Land, such as contemplating the setting sun in the west to visualise the Pure Land, or contemplating the water endowed with eight virtues in the ponds of the seven treasures of the Pure Land. The cover is currently missing, but the book's overall state of preservation is relatively good.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Danyang, Chungbuk

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산