Haeinsa Temple: Frontispiece of the Avatamsaka Sutra Fascicle 15

SOUTH KOREA, South Gyeongsang, Hapcheon; Goryeo dynasty

In Korea, Buddhist scriptures were traditionally copied through sutra transcriptions or woodblock printing. The former method was a more personal practice, in which sutras were copied in gold or silver ink as a prayer for well-being. The latter technique allowed for the production of multiple prints from a single carved wooden block. The Tripitaka Koreana, kept at Haeinsa Temple, preserves the Korean Buddhist canon on 80,000 carved blocks. This frontispiece for the “Chapter on the Ten Dedications” in Fascicle 15 of the Avatamsaka Sutra was printed from one of these blocks. It dates from the 13th century and was listed as National Treasure No. 206-16 in 1982.
The frontispiece depicts Bodhisattvas, Dharma protectors, and disciples respectfully listening to the Buddha’s teachings. Although the printed ink lines are not perfectly clear, the skill of the carving on the original block is readily apparent in this copy.