Sutra of the Repentance Ritual of Great Compassion (Cibei daochang chanfa), Volume 1

1615

Not on view

Printed sutras usually took the form of accordion-fold books, and they often featured an illustrated frontispiece. Legend states that the repentance ritual described in this sutra was instituted by Emperor Wu of Liang (464–549) to deliver his deceased wife from an unpleasant reincarnation as a python. This is the story depicted in the illustrated frontispiece, where a group of Buddhist monks industriously undertake the rituals prescribed in the sutra. The empress’s spirit floats free from the mouth of the snake, ascending heavenward on a cloud.

Artwork Details

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Exhibition History

明萬曆　木刻《慈悲道場懺法》卷第一
Title: Sutra of the Repentance Ritual of Great Compassion (Cibei daochang chanfa), Volume 1
Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Date: 1615
Culture: China
Medium: Woodblock printed book
Dimensions: Page: 13 × 4 7/8 in. (33 × 12.4 cm)
Double-page: 13 × 9 5/8 in. (33 × 24.4 cm)
Closed: 13 × 4 7/8 × 1 in. (33 × 12.4 × 2.5 cm)
Classification: Illustrated Books
Credit Line: Gift of Julia and John Curtis, in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2020
Object Number: 2020.73.3
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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