Sutra copying

Sutra copying is the East Asian practice of hand-copying Buddhist sutras.

Purpose

Sutra copying is considered a merit in Buddhism.^[1]^[2] Other meritorious practices included the memorization and recitation of sutras.^[2] The effort of sutra copying is considered an expression of piety.^[1] It is recognized as a devotional practice, since it comprises worship, literature, and calligraphy.^[3] Since early in history, it was also not uncommon for people to sponsor monks and nuns to recite or copy sutras, thus indirectly cultivating merit in one's ancestors, family, and self by transference.^[2]

History

The practice of sutra copying originated in China.^[3] Sutra copying was imported to Korea in the third century.^[3] During the Nara period (710–794) in Japan, the practice of sutra copying became very popular in society.^[4]

Printing sutra

To print sutra is called "kangyou"(Japanese: 刊経, romanized: kangyou)^[5] in Japanese, in contrast with scripting sutra. Woodblock printing sutra called "kangyou" was widely made in Song dynasty China. A printing sutra, the Hyakumantō Darani, was published in Nara period Japan. A scripting sutra is sometimes copied from the printing sutra.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Atkinson, Alan G. (1994). "Catalogue, with introduction to Buddhism and Buddhist subjects in Chinese art". Latter days of the law: images of Chinese Buddhism, 850-1850. Lawrence, Kansas: Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas. p. 294. ISBN 9780824816629.
^ ^a ^b ^c Levering, Miriam (1989). "Scripture and its Reception: A Buddhist Case". Rethinking scripture: Essays from a comparative perspective. Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. 73–74. ISBN 9780887066139.
^ ^a ^b ^c Stevens, John (1981). Sacred calligraphy of the East. Boulder, Colo., London: Shambhala. pp. 101–102. ISBN 9780394748320.
^ Sansom, G.B. (1978). Japan: A Short Cultural History. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 141. ISBN 0804709548.
^ alike "surigyou"(Japanese: 摺経, romanized: surigyou) or "hanngyou"(Japanese: 版経, romanized: hanngyou)
^ 京都国立博物館 2004, pp. 198, 320, 356(in List of Plates), The Sacred Letters of Early Sutra Copies (SPECIAL EXHIBITION: Celebrating Fifty Years since the Donation of the Moriya Collection)

京都国立博物館 (2004-10-19). 古写経―聖なる文字の世界―：特別展覧会守屋コレクション寄贈50周年記念. 京都国立博物館.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)

[atkag-1] Atkinson, Alan G. (1994). "Catalogue, with introduction to Buddhism and Buddhist subjects in Chinese art". Latter days of the law: images of Chinese Buddhism, 850-1850. Lawrence, Kansas: Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas. p. 294. ISBN 9780824816629.

[lev73-4-2] Levering, Miriam (1989). "Scripture and its Reception: A Buddhist Case". Rethinking scripture: Essays from a comparative perspective. Albany: State University of New York Press. pp. 73–74. ISBN 9780887066139.

[ste81-3] Stevens, John (1981). Sacred calligraphy of the East. Boulder, Colo., London: Shambhala. pp. 101–102. ISBN 9780394748320.

[4] Sansom, G.B. (1978). Japan: A Short Cultural History. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 141. ISBN 0804709548.

[5] "surigyou"(Japanese: 摺経, romanized: surigyou) or "hanngyou"(Japanese: 版経, romanized: hanngyou)

[6] 京都国立博物館 2004, pp. 198, 320, 356(in List of Plates), The Sacred Letters of Early Sutra Copies (SPECIAL EXHIBITION: Celebrating Fifty Years since the Donation of the Moriya Collection)

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