Transcription of Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra), Zhou Version, in Silver on Indigo Paper, Volumes 5 and 6

Daebanggwangbul hwaeomgyeong, which is also abbreviated to Hwaeomgyeong (Avatamsaka Sutra), contains the central idea that Buddha and all creatures are one, rather than many. The Avatamsaka Sutra, as the basic sutra of the Hwaeom Order of Korean Buddhism, was one of the most influential sutras in the establishment of Korean Buddhism along with the Lotus Sutra. This book was transcribed from volumes 5 and 6 of the 80 volumes of the Zhou version of the Avatamsaka Sutra translated by Siksananda of the Tang Dynasty. Written in silver on indigo paper, it is a folding screen type of book measuring 31.15 cm by 10.5 cm when folded. The cover, which is decorated with a splendid flower design, bears the title written in gold. The illustration, which summarizes the contents of the sutra in pictorial form, is elaborately drawn in thin gold lines at the beginning of volume 5, while the content of the actual sutra is written in silver inside the golden frame. There is no record as to the reason why this transcription was made, but it is estimated to have been printed sometime in the 14th century during the Goryeo Dynasty as the styles of the cover, illustration, and writing are similar to those of the Transcription of the Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra), Zhou Version, in Silver on Indigo Paper, Volume 37 (Treasure No. 754).