Commentary on the Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra), Volumes 84, 100, and 117

Avatamsaka Sutra is one of the canonical scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism; the central idea expressed in this sutra is the unity of Buddha and sentient beings. As the most fundamental text for Korean Buddhism, this sutra has had seminal influence on Korean Buddhist philosophy along with the Saddharmapundarika Sutra (Lotus Sutra). These three volumes are from the 120 volumes of the Commentary on the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra), which was written by Chengguan of the Tang Dynasty and annotated by Jing Yuan of the Song Dynasty. They were made in the form of a folding screen measuring 10.7cm wide and 32.2cm long. The original woodblocks made in the Song Dynasty were sent by Jing Yuan to State Preceptor Daegak in order to publish this book. Later, the woodblocks were given to Japan, which had made numerous requests for a set of Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks, in 1423 (fifth year of the reign of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty). These volumes hold great significance in the history of Buddhist exchanges between China, Korea and Japan and show the most well-preserved and excellent printing and binding conditions among similar books discovered so far.