The Sovereign Kings Sutra Written to Form a Pagoda (First Image)
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The Sovereign Kings Sutra Written to Form a Pagoda (First Image) (detail), Heian period, 12th century (National Treasure, Lent by Daichōjuin Temple, Iwate)
Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
February 14, 2024 (Wed) - March 10, 2024 (Sun)This image contains chapter one of an influential sacred writing known as the Sovereign Kings Sutra. This writing teaches that Buddhist gods will protect every country ruled by a righteous Buddhist king.
A master calligrapher wrote the chapter in tiny gold characters, arranging them to form the shape of a Buddhist pagoda, a tower for storing the cremated remains of the Buddha. The tower is surrounded by scenes from the sutra. This image thus represent three good deeds: making copies of sacred writings, explaining the writings through images, and building pagodas. These deeds were thought to result in blessings, both in this life and the next.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | The "Sovereign Kings Sutra" Written to Form a Pagoda (First Image) | Heian period, 12th century | Lent by Daichōjuin Temple, Iwate | |||
| Highlight | National Treasure | The "Sovereign Kings Sutra" Written to Form a Pagoda (Fourth Image) | Heian period, 12th century | Lent by Daichōjuin Temple, Iwate |