Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School
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Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School
Kamakura period, 13th century (National Treasure, Lent by Kōsanji Temple, Kyoto)UpcomingJapanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 2
March 17, 2026 (Tue) - April 5, 2026 (Sun)From the 1200s onward, many picture scrolls celebrating the accomplishments of famous Buddhist monks were created in Japan. This one illustrates the deeds of Wonhyo (617–685). One of the most renowned scholar-monks in East Asia, he played a critical role in establishing the Flower Garland school of Buddhism in Korea.
Read from right to left, the scroll portrays a story in which Wonhyo performs a ritual centered on the Diamond Samadhi Sutra. According to legend, this sacred writing was brought from the mythical Dragon Palace and, through its spiritual power, healed the queen’s illness. The scroll was passed down through the generations at Kōzanji Temple in Kyoto, which was an important center for the study of the Flower Garland school in Japan.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Volume 3 of the Histories of the Founders of the Kegon School | Kamakura period, 13th century | Lent by Kōsanji Temple, Kyoto |