"Expedient Means" Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (From Chikubu Island)
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"Expedient Means" Chapter of the Lotus Sutra (From Chikubu Island) (detail), Heian period, 11th century (National Treasure)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
October 3, 2023 (Tue) - November 5, 2023 (Sun)The Lotus Sutra is an influential text said to contain the Buddha’s ultimate teachings. Around the 10th century, the imperial court and the nobility began to commission elaborate copies of the sutra. They believed that this pious act would help them to achieve rebirth in paradise.
The scroll here is from a copy of the Lotus Sutra that was kept at a temple on Chikubu Island, northeast of Kyoto. It contains the “Expedient Means” chapter, in which the Buddha explains how he skillfully uses different methods to teach different kinds of people.
The Japanese-style calligraphy, which is executed with a light touch, suggests that the scroll was created in the early 11th century. The paper is decorated with unusually bold patterns of auspicious birds, butterflies, and flowers in gold and silver pigments.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | "Expedient Means" Chapter of the "Lotus Sutra" (From Chikubu Island) | Heian period, 11th century | B-2401 |