This study aims to investigate the formation, introduction into Korea, publication and distribution of Śūrangama-sūtra, and explain their bibliographical characteristics by analyzing publishers, the style of writing, illustrations and imprints of those printed Śūrangama-sūtrar.
There exist a total of 10 printed books of Śūrangama-sūtra produced in the Goryeo, and 66 printed in the Joseon Period. It is assumed that Śūrangama-sūtra was introduced into the Silla Dynasty by the Buddhist priests who studied in the Dang Dynasty. Gyehwan's commentary introduced in the late Goryeo Dynasty, was repeatedly published and circulated throughout the Joseon Period. In Goryeo, woodblocks engraved at Haein-sa in the 22nd year of King Gojong's reign(1232) and 4 kinds of their prints still remain. The edition published in the 19th year of King Gongmin's reign(1390) was based on the edition of the 1st year of King Choongsun's reign(1309). In the Joseon Period, the edition transcribed by Shin Chong was published in the 1st year of Taejong's reign(1401), and reprinted during the reigns of Injo and Sookjong. Hwaam-sa edition transcribed by Seong Dal-Saeng was published in the 15th year of Saejong's reign (1433), and then in the 25th year. During King Sejo's reign, Kyoseogwan printed books, using Eulhae-ja, and Gangyeongdogam printed books from woodblocks. Publication dates of the editions published in the 19th year and 24th year, respectively, of Seongjong's reign cannot be confirmed, because some volumes are missing.
Śūrangama-sūtra was published by Kyoseogwan, Gangyeongdogam, and thirteen temples. The edition published in the reign of King Taejong exhibits Shin Chong's elegant calligraphic style, the edition published during Sejong' reign shows the soft writing style by Seong Dal-Saeng, and the Eulhae-ja edition shows Kang Hee-An's flat and broad calligraphic style. The Gangyeongdogam edition exhibit big letters in a thick calligraphic style, and Hangeul letters in a thin straight print style. The edition published in Seongjong's reign was written in Park Kyeong's thin calligraphic style.
The styles of illustrations in Śūrangama-sūtra can be grouped into the Hwaam-sa edition and the Boheon-sa edition. An analysis of imprints of those Śūrangama-sūtra documents that one or two Buddhist priests took charge of printing overall as ‘Daehwajoo’, and one or two, or about 10 in some cases, usually were in charge of carving as ‘Gaksoo’. Yeonpan, Byeoljwa, Gongyangjoo and so forth became more and more specifically listed in Sijoojil in later years, and about ten to several dozen people were involved in Sijoojil.