Sutra Copies and Records of Buddhist Statues: Calligraphy Based on Faith and Prayer
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Record of the Creation of Yang Dayan's Buddhist Statue (detail)
China, Northern Wei dynasty, ca. 500 (Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujirō)Asian Gallery (Toyokan) Room 8
August 20, 2024 (Tue) - September 29, 2024 (Sun)In China, the copying of Buddhist scriptures, known as sutras, grew in popularity when Chinese translations of the sacred texts proliferated between the 5th and 10th centuries. Emperor Taizong (598–649) ordered the renowned Buddhist monk Xuanzang (602–664) to translate the sutras from Sanskrit into Chinese and presented him with the Preface to the Sacred Teachings for these translations.
On the other hand, many records detailing the circumstances behind the creation of Buddhist statues were produced during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period (439–589). The present exhibition features copies of sutras and rubbings of Buddhist statue records mainly from the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534/535), as well as stele rubbings of the emperor’s preface. Through these works, you can come to appreciate the world of calligraphy that is based on faith and prayer.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Volume 33 of the "Mohe Boruo Boluomi Sutra" | China, Reportedly found at Dunhuang | Northern Zhou dynasty, 6th century | TB-1449 | |||
| Highlight | Record of the Creation of Yang Dayan's Buddhist Statue | China | Northern Wei dynasty, ca. 500 | Gift of Mr. Takashima Kikujirō, TB-1376 | |||
| Highlight | Record of the Creation of a Buddhist Statue for Niu Jue | China | Northern Wei dynasty, 495 | Gift of Mr. Imaizumi Yusaku, TB-665 | |||
| Highlight | Preface and Notes to the Sacred Teachings from the Steles of the Dayan Pagoda | By Chu Suiliang (596–658), China | Tang dynasty, 653 | TB-354 |