Artwork
Text, folio 22 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra (Scripture of the Supreme Array)
Text, folio 22 (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 ancient manuscript fragment, folio 22 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra, represents a significant piece of Buddhist scripture.
About this work
Overview
Its worn surface, marked by small holes and cracks, attests to its considerable age and journey through time, offering a tangible link to early religious texts.
This ancient manuscript fragment, folio 22 (verso) from a Gandavyuha-sutra, represents a significant piece of Buddhist scripture. Dating back over two millennia, this long, narrow wooden strip is meticulously covered with dense rows of angular script in faded black ink. Its worn surface, marked by small holes and cracks, attests to its considerable age and journey through time, offering a tangible link to early religious texts.
Subject & Meaning
This particular folio originates from the Gandavyuha-sutra, also known as the 'Scripture of the Supreme Array,' a foundational text within Mahayana Buddhism. It forms a component of a much larger narrative, detailing the spiritual journey of Sudhana. As a page from a sacred text, it served to transmit core Buddhist teachings and narratives, guiding practitioners towards enlightenment and understanding the interconnectedness of all phenomena.
Technique & Style
The text is inscribed on a slender wooden strip, utilizing an ancient Indian script rendered in faded black ink. The meticulous arrangement of small, angular characters in neat, compact rows demonstrates the careful craftsmanship involved in producing such sacred documents. The choice of wood as a medium, along with the precise calligraphic style, reflects the material and artistic practices prevalent during the period of its creation.
History & Provenance
Dating back more than 2,000 years, this manuscript fragment stands as a testament to the enduring tradition of Buddhist textual production. Its survival over two millennia underscores its historical significance. While part of a more extensive work, this individual folio offers insights into ancient scriptural practices. Similar examples of early Buddhist manuscripts can be found in collections such as The Cleveland Museum of Art, indicating its broader historical context.
Artist & collection
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