Section of the Flower Ornament Sutra (Kegon-kyō), known as the “Senpukuji Burned Sutra” (Senpukuji yakegyō)
The Flower Ornament Sutra teaches that the wisdom of the Buddha is present everywhere in the universe, including within each person. The brown burn marks on this fragment indicate that it has survived a fire, a reminder that nothing—not even the Buddha’s law—lasts forever. Shakyōtai, a sutra-copying script from the late Heian period seen here, is characterized by rapidly brushed but very legible calligraphy.
Artwork Details
- 泉福寺焼経 華厳経断簡
- Title: Section of the Flower Ornament Sutra (Kegon-kyō), known as the “Senpukuji Burned Sutra” (Senpukuji yakegyō)
- Artist: Unidentified artist
- Period: Heian period (794–1185)
- Date: 12th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Section of handscroll mounted as a hanging scroll; ink on pale indigo-dyed paper decorated with flakes of gold leaf
- Dimensions: Image: 9 5/16. × 20 in. (23.6 × 50.8 cm)
Overall with mounting: 42 7/8 × 27 15/16 in. (108.9 × 71 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2024
- Object Number: 2024.412.1
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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