Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper
Buddhist Illustration of Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White PaperThis is the Buddhist Illustration of the Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper (Treasure No. 278). The painting in gold depicts the scene wherein Buddha is preaching at Yeongchuksan Mountain, along with bodhisattvas, through refined and skillful touches.
Main Text of Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White PaperThis is the main text of the Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper (Treasure No. 278).
Buddhist Illustration of Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White PaperThis is the Buddhist Illustration of the Transcription of Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper (Treasure No. 278). The painting in gold depicts the summary of the Buddhist sutra.
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Location243, Naesosa-ro Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryCultural Heritage / Tangible Cultural Heritage
- Korean백지묵서『묘법연화경』
- Chinese白紙墨書妙法蓮華經
- Nickname『법화경』 절본 사본
- FieldReligion / Buddhism
- Contents TypeTextual Data / Book
- Location55, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Location243, Naesosa-ro Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- A transcription of the Saddharmapundarika Sutra, kept at Naesosa Temple in Seokpo-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do.
- Summary
- The Saddharmapundarika Sutra, also known as the Lotus Sutra, is the basic scripture of Korea’s Cheontaejong (Tiantai, East Asian Buddhist school of Mahayana), which is based on the idea that everyone can become enlightened. Along with the Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra), the Lotus Sutra has played an important role in Korean Buddhism and is the most widely circulated Buddhist scripture in Korea.
- Background of Compilation / Publication
- According to the epilogue of the Transcription of the Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper, a woman known only as Lady Lee transcribed the sutra to pray for the repose of the soul of her husband Yu Geun in 1415 (the 15th year of the reign of King Taejong). In general, sutras were transcribed by hand and handed down to future generations for use in prayers or blessings.
- Forms / Bibliography
- The Transcription of the Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper, which is owned by Naesosa Temple, is an ‘orihon’ style of manuscript consisting of seven volumes, each of which opens like a folding screen and is about 36cm long. Each volume’s cover is made with indigo paper with golden trim in which four lotus designs are expressed, and bears the book’s title, which is written as “Saddharmapundarika Sutra.” Although it was originally kept at Naesosa Temple, this precious cultural heritage is currently in the collection of the Central Buddhist Museum in the grounds of Jogyesa Temple in Seoul.
- Composition / Content
- The first volume contains an illustration of the Buddha delivering the sutra at Yeongchuksan Mountain, attended by his bodhisattvas, depicted with a refined and skillful touch. The 28 chapters of the Lotus Sutra are written in ink on white paper. Each page of the seven books contains six lines, each containing 17 to 19 characters.
- Historical Significance
- All seven volumes of the Transcription of the Saddharmapundarika Sutra (The Lotus Sutra) in Ink on White Paper have been preserved along with their covers, each of which is elaborately embroidered with different-colored fabric dating from the late Goryeo period.
It was designated as Treasure No. 278 on January 21, 1963 in recognition of its rarity, excellent state of preservation, and the honesty and diligence of its author’s work.
- See Also