Early Joseon-era Buddhist scripture in Hangeul unveiled among Lee Kun-hee's donations

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Tue, October 3, 2023 | 07:17

Books

Early Joseon-era Buddhist scripture in Hangeul unveiled among Lee Kun-hee's donations

Posted : 2021-10-01 20:16

Updated : 2021-10-01 20:20

Pages of the 15th century manuscript "Seokbosangjeol" volumes 20 and 21 / Courtesy of NMK

By Park Han-sol

Marking Hangeul Day on Oct. 9, the National Museum of Korea (NMK) unveiled Thursday the original manuscript of the first Buddhist scripture printed in the Korean alphabet, Hangeul ― which belongs to the massive treasure trove of art donated by late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

Known as "Seokbosangjeol," the document was published in 1447 late in the 1418-50 reign of King Sejong of Joseon, just one year after the release of "Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon," an iconic handbook of the Korean writing system.

The Buddhist teachings were translated into Korean under guidance of Prince Suyang, who later became King Sejo (r. 1455-68), to commemorate his mother, Queen Soheon. A total of 24 volumes are believed to have been published, but only a few survive to this day. The two unveiled copies are volumes 20 and 21, printed with the first movable Hangeul metal type blocks.

Unlike other Buddhist scriptures translated later, whose main texts remain in Chinese characters with smaller Hangeul characters added, "Seokbosangjeol" is notable for its large Korean characters compared to its Chinese counterparts. The manuscript thus serves as an important artifact to understand the usage and orthography of Hangeul in the 15th century.

The document's existence has long been known only among experts, making the public unveiling at the NMK all the more meaningful.

Along with "Seokbosangjeol," some 150 metal movable type blocks of Chinese characters believed to have been created in 1434 are also on display.

The NMK was able to estimate the date of production of these items thanks to an archaeological excavation completed in June in central Seoul's Insa-dong. The discovery allowed the museum to compare the shapes and sizes of the blocks of two groups, determining similarities in their forms.

Movable metal type blocks presumed to have been made in 1434 / Courtesy of NMK

hansolp@koreatimes.co.kr