The World's Oldest Printed Book
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stephenhoban
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The Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist text printed in 868 CE, holds the distinction of being the world's oldest known dated printed book. Discovered in 1900 in China's Mogao Caves, this 16-foot-long scroll predates the Gutenberg Bible by nearly six centuries, offering invaluable insights into the early development of printing technology in East Asia.
Discovery in Mogao Caves
remotelands.com
Hidden for nearly a millennium, the Diamond Sutra was unearthed in 1900 within the Mogao Caves, also known as the "Caves of a Thousand Buddhas," near Dunhuang, China. The scroll was part of a vast collection of approximately 40,000 manuscripts and printed documents sealed in a cave library, likely around 1000 CE12. This remarkable discovery was made during restoration work when a monk stumbled upon a concealed entrance to an unknown cave3.
In 1907, British-Hungarian archaeologist Sir Aurel Stein gained access to the cave during his second Silk Road expedition3. Stein's acquisition of the Diamond Sutra and other artifacts from the cave library sparked controversy but also brought these invaluable historical treasures to the attention of the wider world43.
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Historical Significance
lindahall.org
Representing a pivotal moment in the history of printing, the Diamond Sutra demonstrates the advanced state of woodblock printing technology in 9th century China. Its creation predates Johannes Gutenberg's movable type printing in Europe by nearly 600 years, challenging the common misconception that Gutenberg's Bible was the world's first printed book12. The sutra's colophon, which precisely dates its production to May 11, 868 CE, makes it the oldest known printed book with a specific date, providing crucial evidence for understanding the timeline of printing technology development3. This artifact not only showcases the technological prowess of Tang Dynasty China but also highlights the important role of Buddhism in the spread of early printing practices across East Asia.
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Physical and Textual Details
thesilo.ca
Composed of seven panels of paper printed from carved wooden blocks and joined to form a scroll, the Diamond Sutra measures approximately 5 meters (16 feet) in length12. The text, written in Chinese, is a translation of a Sanskrit Buddhist scripture focusing on the concept of non-attachment3. A notable feature is the colophon at the end, which states it was "reverently made for universal free distribution by Wang Jie on behalf of his parents"4. This inscription not only dates the document but also aligns with the Buddhist philosophy of spreading wisdom, considering the propagation of Buddha's teachings as a meritorious act4.
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Preservation by British Library
en.wikipedia.org
Currently housed at the British Library, the Diamond Sutra has undergone extensive conservation efforts to preserve its delicate structure. The British Library, as part of the International Dunhuang Project, has made digital versions of the sutra available online, allowing researchers and the public to study this ancient text without risking damage to the original12. In 2013, the library completed a decade-long initiative focused on preserving the world's oldest dated printed book, ensuring its longevity for future generations to study and appreciate1.
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Woodblock Printing Technique
news.cgtn.com
Woodblock printing, the technique used to create the Diamond Sutra, involves carving text or images into a wooden block, inking the raised surfaces, and pressing paper against it to transfer the design. This method originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and was widely used for reproducing Buddhist texts1. The process required skilled artisans to carve intricate characters in reverse on wooden blocks, typically made from durable woods like cherry or pear23. Ink was then applied to the raised surfaces, and dampened paper was pressed onto the block to create a print3. This technique allowed for mass production of texts, significantly impacting the spread of knowledge and literacy across East Asia4. Despite the later invention of movable type printing by Bi Sheng in the 11th century, woodblock printing remained the dominant method in China until the introduction of modern printing technologies in the 19th century1.
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Diamond Sutra Essentials
The Diamond Sutra, also known as the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, is a foundational text in Mahayana Buddhism that focuses on the concept of non-attachment and the illusory nature of reality. Composed of 32 short chapters, it takes the form of a dialogue between the Buddha and his disciple Subhuti1. The sutra's title, which translates to "The Diamond that Cuts Through Illusion," reflects its central theme of using wisdom to cut through deceptive appearances and realize the true nature of existence2.
The text emphasizes the importance of practicing generosity without relying on signs or concepts, and understanding the emptiness of all phenomena3. One of its most famous passages compares life to fleeting phenomena: "So you should view this fleeting world— A star at dawn, a bubble in a stream, A flash of lightning in a summer cloud, A flickering lamp, a phantom, and a dream"2. The Diamond Sutra has been highly influential in East Asian Buddhism, particularly within the Chan (Zen) tradition, and continues to be studied and revered by practitioners worldwide14.
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Related
What is the significance of the Diamond Sutra in Mahayana Buddhism
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What are the main teachings of the Diamond Sutra
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What is the historical background of the Diamond Sutra
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