Great Compassion Dharani Sutra

JAPAN; Nara period

As indicated in the colophon at the end of the manuscript, this sutra was copied in 741 during the Nara period. It was scripted by the eminent Japanese monk Genbo, who resolved to produce 1,000 copies of the Great Compassion Dharani Sutra by hand as a dedication of blessings for his country. Unfortunately, only this fascicle, with the scroll head missing, remains today. The piece was listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
Overall, the manuscript employs light brushwork that gives a somewhat sparse look to the characters. The smooth, fluent strokes carry a mix of regular and running scripts, but characters remain distinct with the absence of interconnecting ink trails. There is an implicit link between the characters that contributes to the refined and unique overall tone of the sutra manuscript.
Genbo, whose lay surname was Ato, came from Nara and was an eminent monk of the Hosso school in Japan. In 717, Genbo joined the Japanese mission to Tang dynasty (618–907) China to seek further teachings. It was during his stay that he received a purple monastic robe and an official rank from Emperor Xuanzong (reigned 712–756) of the Tang dynasty. Genbo returned to Japan in 735 with several Buddha statues, as well as over 5,000 fascicles of sutras. He continued to remain active in both the Buddhist and political spheres.