Designation of Volume 175 of the Abhidharma Daibibh??? Commentary, Chojobon, Held by Beopjangsa Temple in Jungnang-gu, as a National Treasure

Scripture from the 11th-century Goryeo Chojodaejanggyeong woodblocks... The only domestic copy of Abhidharma Mah?vibh?????stra Volume 175 discovered to date... High value as a source for the Buddhist ritual nature of Chojodaejanggyeong creation and for restoring the woodblocks

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The Chojobon Abhidharma Daibibh??a-ron Volume 175, held at Beopjangsa Temple located in Mukdong, Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi), has been designated as a national treasure (Cultural Heritage Administration Notice No. 2021-165).

The 'Chojobon Abhidharma Daibibh??a-ron Volume 175 (初雕本 阿毗達磨大毗婆沙論 卷一百七十五)' held at Beopjangsa is a scroll corresponding to Volume 175 of a scripture composed of a total of 200 volumes, with a length of about 9 meters.

The single scroll of Chojobon Abhidharma Daibibh??a-ron Volume 175 was first produced starting in 1011 and completed in the 11th century. It was published based on the corresponding woodblock print among the early Goryeo Chojodaejanggyeong woodblocks. It is believed to have been printed from the woodblock of Abhidharma Daibibh??a-ron Volume 175, which was part of the Chojodaejanggyeong woodblocks stored at Buin Temple (符仁寺) on Palgongsan Mountain but was burned down by the Mongol invasion forces in 1232.

The Beopjangsa copy is the only known surviving copy of Volume 175 discovered in Korea to date, making it extremely rare. It is a Buddhist scripture printed around the 12th century during the Goryeo period and serves as a primary source for understanding the nature of the Chojodaejanggyeong woodblock creation project, the distribution status of the scriptures, and for restoring the woodblocks, thus holding high historical and cultural value.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “It is very meaningful that the Abhidharma Daibibh??a-ron, part of Korea’s first Tripitaka held at Beopjangsa, has been designated as a national treasure. We will continue to actively promote cultural heritage excavation activities and support efforts to inform residents about the various cultural heritages dormant in the region and ensure they receive proper recognition and value.”

Meanwhile, besides Abhidharma Daibibh??a-ron Volume 175, Beopjangsa also holds the Lotus Sutra, designated as Treasure No. 1306-2. Currently, 19 cultural properties registered in the district are located at Beopjangsa, and an additional 4 cultural properties are under cultural heritage review.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.