The world's oldest printed book is a buddhist sutra

Here are some of the oldest surviving books in the world. The diamond sutra, composed in india in the fourth century ce, is one of the most treasured works of buddhist literature and is the oldest existing printed book in the world. Translation on buddhism today the oldest printed text in the world the diamond sutra. Bbc news entertainment oldest printed book on display. The fascinating discovery of the worlds oldest book. It was a narrative nonfiction about hungarianbritish explorer sir aurel stein and his now famous discovery of the diamond sutra the world s oldest printed book a woodblock printed source from the 8th century and a secret library of buddhist texts.

The hyakumanto darani were long thought to be the worlds oldest surviving printed items but in 1966 a similar dharani was discovered in a stone pagoda at pulguksa temple in korea. And yet, this work came to the limelight only in the early 20th century. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the british library is one of the most. Thus the oldest book in the world must surely be the gutenberg bible oldest printed book in the west, from c. These are pages of the diamond sutra the oldest known. It was found in a holy site called the mogao or peerless caves or the. Reverently made for universal free distribution by wang jie on behalf of his two parents, 11 may 868. Printed copy of the diamond sutra the british library. Sep 12, 2012 what the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest printed book, has to say on views.

This sutra a sanskrit word that means a religious teaching or sermon, in particular that of the buddha is commonly regarded as one of the most revered texts of mahayana buddhism. The manuscript was one of many discovered in the mogao caves of dunhaung, china. Jul 01, 2011 it was a narrative nonfiction about hungarianbritish explorer sir aurel stein and his now famous discovery of the diamond sutra the world s oldest printed book a woodblock printed source from the 8th century and a secret library of buddhist texts that he discovered in dunhuang, china in 1911. Written in chinese and featuring an illustrated frontispiece, the woodblock printed scroll is fivemetres long and dated 868ad. Background of the diamond sutra diamond sutra a new. The silk road once linked china with the mediterranean. The vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra has been translated from sanskrit into english variously as the diamond sutra, the diamond cutter sutra, the vajra sutra and the vajra cutter sutra. The oldest complete printed and dated book is a buddhist text known as the diamond sutra, a name apparently suggested by the buddha himself, as the text is designed to cut like a diamond blade through worldly illusion to illuminate what is real and everlasting. In this case, there are three books buddhists hold in high regard. A copy of the diamond sutra is printed in china, making it the oldest known dated printed book. Although only one copy has survived, now in the british library, hundreds of copies of this illustrated scroll were probably originally printed. Til the worlds oldest printed book is the diamond sutra.

Home national oldest buddhist lotus sutra manuscript now in new book. May 11, 2019 the worlds earliest complete, dated and printed book goes back to may 11, 868. The oldest complete, printed and dated book to have survived is the diamond sutra. The diamond sutra is a sacred mahayana buddhist text that dates to the year 868 ce. It was produced on the 11 may 868, according to the western calendar. A daoist monk, wang yuanlu, discovered the socalled dunhaung manuscripts in 1900. Aug 21, 2014 the oldest printed text in the world is believed to be the diamond sutra, a book of mahayana buddhism that was found in a cave 1146 years ago. The world s oldest printed book is a buddhist text, the diamond sutra of 868 a. The vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra a translation of the diamond sutra. Many westerners believe the gutenbergs bible from around 1450 ad as the worlds oldest printed book. Ask people to name the worlds oldest printed book and the common reply is gutenbergs bible. One exhibit highlight, especially for readers of this blog, is the diamond sutra, the world s oldest dated complete printed book, according to the getty. A book thought to be the oldest surviving printed book in the world has gone on display at the british library.

I read this week that restoration work takes place at the british library in london on the worlds oldest printed book a much love buddhist text called the diamond sutra dating back to 868 ad. The diamond sutra is the worlds earliest dated printed book. Thinking of the diamond sutra, the oldest printed book may 11, 2016 james ford patheos explore the world s faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. When, in about 1455, gutenberg printed his bible, it was hailed as a major technological and cultural achievement and for centuries after was considered to be one of the pivotal moments in human history.

The precise date makes this particular edition of diamond sutra the worlds oldest printed and dated book in existence. It is the worlds oldest book bearing a specific date of publication. The diamond sutra is a collection of buddhist teachings the word sutra comes from sanskrit and means teachings or scriptures. This copy of the diamond sutra in chinese language, complete with a beautifully illustrated frontispiece, is the world s earliest dated, printed book. May 10, 2017 the printing itself was done using large wooden blocks and, although earlier printed books have survived, this copy of the diamond sutra is the oldest that bears a specific date. This printed book also has a beautifully illustrated front piece. This relic of buddhism isnt the outright oldest book woodblock printing was invented some 200300 years prior but its the oldest surviving book with the date it was published printed. Movements and types of graphics diamond sutra gone, gone, gone beyond, gone utterly beyond, enlightenment hail. So you should view this fleeting world a star at dawn, a bubble in a stream, a flash of lightening in a summer cloud, a flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream. This image is from the diamond sutra, the world s oldest printed book. The oldest surviving printed book, the diamond sutra, dates from 868 ad. The extraordinary discovery of the buddhist diamond sutra. The indian buddhist text was translated into chinese in about 400 ad.

The translation used on this website was completed in. Few venture that the answer is a revered buddhist text called the diamond sutra, printed in 868 a. This sutra a sanskrit word that means a religious teaching or sermon, in particular that of the buddha is commonly regarded as one of the most revered. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book. See more ideas about books, buddhism and mahayana buddhism. The earliest known printed text is from about 650 a. It depicts the buddha, surrounded by monks and devotees. May 08, 2004 buddhist although other printed items and manuscripts were discovered in the cave, the diamond sutra, which is a buddhist holy text, is the earliest printed book to bear a date. The printing itself was done using large wooden blocks and, although earlier printed books have survived, this copy of the diamond sutra is the oldest that bears a specific date. A desert explorer, buddhas secret library, and the unearthing of the world s oldest printed book. Like most buddhist sutras, even the diamond sutra starts with the famous sanskrit line. Although it is undated it is believed to date from some time before 751 when the stone pagoda was completed. The fascinating discovery of the worlds oldest book ask people to name the worlds oldest printed book and the common reply is gutenbergs bible.

It is known as the diamond sutra because its teachings are said to be like d. This priceless religious teaching survives as the oldest dated, printed book. While this copy of the diamond sutra is now considered the oldest known printed book, its contents are central to indian buddhism, and are believed to have been translated from sanskrit to chinese. Also known by its sanskrit title vajracchedika, the diamond sutra posits that something is what it is only because of what it is not. The last few lines of the text, the colophon, identifies who printed it, when and why. The diamond sutra, worlds oldest dated complete printed book. D, although many believe they will find older ones in the future, and the earliest full printed book is from 868 a.

The lotus sutra is among the oldest existing texts of buddhism. Or that by the time gutenberg got ink on his fingers nearly 600 years later and his revolutionary technology helped usher in the enlightenment this copy of the diamond sutra. It is an important buddhist text that has a long and profound history. In the lower lefthand corner of the illustration can be found the buddhas disciple subhuti, listening to buddha presenting the diamond sutra.

Oldest printed book the buddhist text known around the world as the diamond sutra although a more accurate translation of the sanskrit title might be, for instance, the vajra cutter sutra is a short mahayana sutra of the perfection of wisdom prajnaparamita genre, which teaches the practice of the avoidance of abiding in extremes of mental. What is the oldest textsutra of the mahayana tradition. While this copy of the diamond sutra is now considered the oldest known printed book, its contents are central to indian buddhism, and are believed to. Inside the chamber on the edge of the gobi desert, documents were piled from floor to ceiling.

Nov 12, 2012 ask people to name the world s oldest printed book and the common reply is gutenberg s bible. Others are the golden line sutra and the mala devi sutra, which chandra points out as a very feminist sutra perhaps the most ancient feminist text sometimes even more violent than what femnism is today. A chinese version of a key text in the mahayana buddhist tradition, this diamond sutra found among. The buddhist text known as the diamond sutra is believed to be the oldest surviving printed book in the world. It is made up of seven pages of paper pasted into a roll just over five metres long. Til the world s oldest printed book is the diamond sutra and it was created in 868 a. The extraordinary discovery of the world s oldest book posted. It also includes an inscription on the lower righthand side that reads reverently made for universal free distribution by wang jie on behalf of his two parents. It was found in a holy site called the mogao or peerless caves or the caves of a thousand.

Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at. The gem among them was the diamond sutra of 868 ad, now recognized as the world s oldest printed book. A desert explorer, buddhas secret library, and the unearthing of the world s oldest printed book morgan, joyce, walters, conrad on. Jul 11, 2016 explore the many facets of the diamond sutra, the world s oldest dated, complete printed book with susan whitfield, director of the international dunhuang project. May 17, 2019 the last few lines of the text, the colophon, identifies who printed it, when and why. Equally incorrect are websites whose claims are based on the premise that a book is a printed object. Sep 12, 2012 the extraordinary discovery of the world s oldest book. What is the earliest known printed text in 868 answers. The frontispiece depicts the buddha, surrounded by monks, devotees and deities. Reverently made for universal free distribution by wang jie on behalf of his two parents. Aug 02, 2009 the diamond sutra is one of the most historically important texts in the buddhist faith, in part because a copy of it is the oldest surviving dated printed book in the world 868 a.

A desert explorer, buddhas secret library, and the unearthing of the worlds oldest printed book. Jun 19, 2016 no one is sure who wang jie was or why he had the diamond sutra printed. Like every religion, buddhism also has its fair share of sacred books. This woodblock printed paper scroll contains a buddhist text. Or that by the time gutenberg got ink on his fingers nearly 600 years later and his revolutionary technology helped usher in the enlightenment this copy of the diamond sutra had been hidden. Or that by the time gutenberg got ink on his fingers nearly 600 years later and his revolutionary technology helped usher in the enlightenment. The diamond sutra is an ancient buddhist sermon that generation of buddhists have memorized and chanted since at least the fifth century. This copy of the diamond sutra in chinese language, complete with a beautifully illustrated frontispiece, is the worlds earliest dated, printed book. The sutra, a key buddhist teaching, was made nearly 600 years before printing transformed european civilization. Chinese printers used carved wooden blocks to print these scrolls, 40,000 of which were discovered in a cave near a monastery near dunhuang, china, in 1900. Historically a copy of the diamond sutra is the oldest known printed book circa 868 ce the term diamond refers to the diamond sword, an allusion to the ease which buddhist teachings cut. The dharma wheel, or dharmachakra, is one of the eight symbols of buddhism. Marc aurel stein, a hungarianborn british archaeologist and. Diamond sutra a new translation of the classic buddhist text.

Til the worlds oldest printed book is the diamond sutra and it was created in 868 a. By joyce morgan huffington post 12 september 2012 ask people to name the world s oldest printed book and the common reply is gutenberg s bible. Made in 868 ad and written in chinese, the text contains a significant dialogue on perception, and is one of the most important sacred works of the buddhist faith. The chinese diamond sutra, the oldest known dated printed. The diamond sutra is the first printed book in history, predating the gutenberg bible by almost 600 years. These books are the mahayana sutras, the tibetan book of the dead, and the tripitaka. The diamond sutra, as described by the british library, is the worlds earliest complete survival of a dated printed book. This key buddhist teaching, made 500 years before gutenberg inked his press, is the worlds oldest printed book. The items on exhibit, including 43 manuscripts, paintings on silk, embroideries, sketches, and ritual diagrams, have traveled from museums and libraries around the world. Inside, scrolls were piled from floor to ceiling, undisturbed for a thousand years. What the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest printed book, has. One of the oldest known religious texts is the kesh temple hymn of ancient sumer, a set of inscribed clay tablets which scholars typically date around 2600 bce. The oldest printed text in the world is believed to be the diamond sutra, a book of mahayana buddhism that was found in a cave 1146 years ago. The sutra, which meditates on the illusory nature of the material worldthe central theme of buddhism, was originally written in sanskrit in india, from which it was translated to chinese in 401 ad.

Mar 17, 2020 the worlds oldest printed book march 17, 2020, 8. The diamond sutra, which bears the date 868 ad, was found in a walledup cave in dunhuang, northwest china, in 1907, along with other printed items. Belonging to the prajnaparamita, or perfect wisdom tradition, this sutra dates back to the year 868, centuries before the west had even started using paper, and it gathers buddhas. Isbn 9780762782970the first impression the reader takes away from this tale of the recovery and preservation of the worlds oldest known printed booka woodcut copy of the buddhist text of the diamond sutra. The history of the book, part 1 international printing. Jun 28, 2016 the vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra has been translated from sanskrit into english variously as the diamond sutra, the diamond cutter sutra, the vajra sutra and the vajra cutter sutra. Sep 27, 2018 the diamond sutra is one of the most revered texts of mahayana buddhism. The diamond sutra, worlds oldest dated complete printed. The diamond sutra is the worlds oldest dated printed book. A fundamental mahayana scripture for those working on the nature of the mind, it tells how ananda searches for mind s location in 7 places. The very first book i saw was frances wood and mark barnards the diamond sutra. Sutras were copied to give merit to people and to all sentient beings in the world, said susan whitfield from the british library. What the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest printed book.

The epic of gilgamesh from sumer, although only considered by some scholars as a religious text, has origins as early as 2150 bce, and stands as one of the earliest literary works that includes various mythological figures and themes. The diamond sutra is relatively short, only 6,000 words and is part of a larger canon of sutras or sacred texts in mahayana buddhism, the branch of buddhism most common in. The world s oldest extant printed book all conditioned dharmas. Sep 17, 2012 the copy of diamond sutra worlds oldest known dated printed book. May 04, 2016 one exhibit highlight, especially for readers of this blog, is the diamond sutra, the world s oldest dated complete printed book, according to the getty.

Buddhist texts were initially passed on orally by monks, but were later written down and composed as manuscripts in various indoaryan languages which were then translated into other local languages as buddhism spread. The diamond sutra and the sutra of huineng by huineng. A copy of the diamond sutra is printed in china, making it the oldest known dated. A chinese version of the diamond sutra is the worlds oldest printed book, dating from may 868. Oldest buddhist lotus sutra manuscript now in new book. The diamond sutra is the world s earliest, dated, printed book, according to the british library, dating to 868 ad. Ask people to name the world s oldest printed book and the common reply is gutenbergs bible. The diamond sutra is the world s oldest printed book. The precision with which one can date the creation of this book is purely down to the fact that it gives us its publication datethe only such case on this list it is, according to the british library, where it now resides, the earliest example of a dated, printed book in the world. A sticker on the front said four pounds off making it sixteen pounds. In addition to the actual text of the diamond sutra this web site provides a diamond sutra background page which explains the origins of the diamond sutra and information about how this new translation was done. Thinking of the diamond sutra, the oldest printed book. The diamond sutra is the worlds oldest dated printed book may 16, 2016 by realtorpegsandiego printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the british library is one of the most intriguing documents in the world. A version of this text was translated into chinese in 179 ce by lokak.