Skip Navigation

Heritage Search

Treasure

Printing Woodblocks of Buddhist Scriptures in Buseoksa Temple, Yeongju

영주 부석사 고려목판 ( 榮州 浮石寺 高麗木板 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Printing Woodblocks of Buddhist Scriptures in Buseoksa Temple, Yeongju
Quantity 3
Designated Date 1982.05.12
Age Goryeo
Address Buseoksa Temple 148, Bukji-ri, Buseok-myeon, Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do

These printing woodblocks of Buddhist scriptures kept at Buseoksa Temple consist of three versions of the Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra, including the Jeongwon Version (40 volumes), Jin Version (60 volumes) and Zhou Version (80 volumes) of the Avatamsaka Sutra engraved on wood. The Daebanggwangbul Avatamsaka Sutra, often abbreviated as the Avatamsaka Sutra, is the basic sutra of the Hwaeom Order of Korean Buddhism. It, together with the Beophwagyeong (The Lotus Sutra), exercised great influence on the establishment of Korean Buddhism. The Jeongwon Version comprises 40 volumes of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Banya; the Jin Version corresponds to 60 volumes of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Bultabaltara; and the Zhou Version comprises 80 volumes of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Shilchananta. There are 634 woodblocks engraved on wood in total, consisting, notably, of a specific arrangement of 34 letters per line. It is estimated that these printing woodblocks date from the 13th or 14th century, based on sutras introduced from the Khitan. They constitute an important resource as the only remaining woodblocks in the Khitan line. Moreover, they have significant value in that it is kept at Buseoksa Temple, which was established by the founder of the Hwaeom Order of Korean Buddhism, Buddhist Monk Uisang, and which developed the principles of Hwaeom.