Transcription of Maha prajnaparamita Sastra (Perfection of Wisdom) in Silver on Oak Paper, Volume 28

Buddhist texts can be largely divided into three types: gyeong (scripture), yul (law), and non (annotation). The word sastra is used to indicate an “annotation”-type text, which is a commentary written to explain a Buddhist scripture or sutra. Compiled by Longshu around AD 200, Maha prajnaparamita Sastra (Perfection of Wisdom) serves as a Buddhist encyclopedia and provides insight into the Buddhism of the period. This is the 28th volume of a 100-volume collection translated by Kumarajiva of the Later Jin. This hand-copied volume is executed in silver-colored characters on brown oak paper. Since each page -- measuring 31 cm long and 11.2 cm wide -- is connected with one another, this volume can be folded like a folding screen. Of the volume, only 13 pages remain today; the front and back covers and first six pages are missing. The Chinese character “建八 (geonpal)” suggests that each volume of this sutra is compiled based on the Chinese characters’ order, and that this is Tripitaka Koreana. The volume is presumed to have been compiled around the mid-14th century because it has the same quality of paper and calligraphic style as its counterpart in Girimsa Temple.