Bibliographical Features and Buddhist Historical Background of the Goryeo Woodblock Edition of the Bulseol Bomungyeong Preserved at Haeinsa

A Goryeo Dynasty woodblock edition of the Bulseol Bomungyeong, preserved at Haeinsa Temple, reveals significant insights into 13th-century Buddhist scholarship and textual practices. This extract from the Maha-ratnakuṭa-sutra, attributed to Tang monk Bodhiruci, shares a textual lineage with the Tripitaka Koreana but includes occasional errors and omissions. Its scroll format—featuring four-sided borders, 36 columns of 16 characters each—and doctrinal focus on 'universally entering the inconceivable dharma-gate' aligns with Hwaeom School teachings on interpenetration and dependent origination. Comparative analysis suggests its creation during the Goryeo period, underscoring the coexistence of independent monographs alongside canonical texts. The study also highlights early scholarly interest in this scripture, as evidenced by Uicheon’s inclusion of a related commentary in Gyojang-chonglok. These woodblocks thus serve as critical artifacts reflecting the ideological diversity and Manjusri devotion practices of Goryeo Buddhism.

Park, Y.-J. (2026). Bibliographical Features and Buddhist Historical Background of the Goryeo Woodblock Edition of the Bulseol Bomungyeong Preserved at Haeinsa. The Journal of Korean History, 213, 257–287. https://doi.org/10.31791/jkh.2026.06.213.257