Section of the Greater Sutra of the Perfection of Wisdom, Volume 590, known as the Daizōji sutra fragment

Series TitleCollection of old sutra fragments (Ko shakyo dankan shû)

CultureJapanese

Date10th century C.E.

MediumHandscroll fragment mounted as an album leaf; ink on paper

Credit LineGift of John M. Crawford Jr.

Object numberF75-18/13

On View

On view

Gallery Location

Collections

East Asian Art

Terms

Exhibition History

Sages and Heroes: Storytelling in Asian Art, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, April 12, 2025–November 30, 2025, no cat.

Gallery Label

Greater Sutra of the Perfection of Wisdom consists of 600 volumes about the perfection of wisdom and the fleeting nature of all phenomena. Each volume introduces messages from Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Copying sutra (scriptures), like this example, is a Buddhist act of worship and learning that helps share the religion’s beliefs. The copies also become inspirational sources for narrative painting and sculpture.

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