Artwork
Text, folio 94 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)
Text, folio 94 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1100 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This object is a segment from a Gandavyuha-sutra, a significant Buddhist scripture.
About this work
Overview
Small circular marks are interspersed throughout, functioning as punctuation within the continuous flow of words.
This object is a segment from a Gandavyuha-sutra, a significant Buddhist scripture. It presents a long, narrow wooden strip densely covered with handwritten text. The ancient Indian script is meticulously arranged in orderly rows, occupying nearly the entire surface. Small circular marks are interspersed throughout, functioning as punctuation within the continuous flow of words. The material exhibits signs of age and use, with a slightly worn appearance and irregular edges.
Subject & Meaning
The text on this folio originates from the Gandavyuha-sutra, also known as the "Scripture of the Supreme Array." This particular sutra forms the concluding chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra), a foundational text within Mahayana Buddhism. It details the spiritual journey of the youth Sudhana, who seeks enlightenment by visiting various bodhisattvas and spiritual teachers. The dense, unbroken script conveys profound philosophical and ethical teachings.
Technique & Style
Crafted from a narrow piece of wood, this folio showcases an ancient Indian script applied with precision. The small, dark characters are tightly packed, forming neat, continuous rows that fill the available space without interruption from images or significant spacing. The absence of decorative elements emphasizes the textual content itself. The slight wear and unevenness of the wood suggest its age and the manual process of its creation and handling over time.
Artist & collection
Text, folio 73 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)
Text, folio 22 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)
Text, folio 20 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)
Text, folio 37 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)
Text, folio 115 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Manuscript of the Supreme Array)