The "80,000 Blocks of the Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures" is a collection of Buddhist books during the Koryo Dynasty, a feudal state of Korea, which existed between 918 and 1392.
It began to be printed in Koryo in 1011. The wooden blocks used for printing the collection on two occasions were burnt by foreign invaders in 1231.
Ri Chun Sop, Section Chief of the National Classics Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences, says:
"The present complete collection of Buddhist scriptures was engraved on wood for 16 years between 1236 and 1251. The collection published at that time has 1,537 kinds and 6,793 volumes and the number of wooden blocks engraved with words amounts to more than 80,000.
That's the 80,000 Blocks of the Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures which was widely known as the world's oldest, correctest and richest of the complete collections of Buddhist scriptures in Chinese characters. It is also called the 'Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures during the Koryo Dynasty'."
The wooden blocks of the complete collection were made of machilus, paktal wood or birch wood. Every block is 69.6 centimetres long, 24 centimetres wide and 3.7 centimetres thick. It has 22 lines with 14 letters each.
Four corners of the block were girdled with bronze belts and fixed with nails. Wooden pillars were put on both sides to keep the block from being twisted and the surface of the board was lacqured not to be decayed and worm-eaten for a long time.
A copy of the wooden blocks of the "80,000 Blocks of the Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures" is preserved in the Pohyon Temple of Mt. Myohyang in Hyangsan Country of North Phyongan Province.
The "80,000 Blocks of the Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures" is one of the precious cultural heritages of the Korean nation as it shows the high printing technology of the Korean ancestors.
More From Voice of Korea (EN)
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received messages of greetings from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
February 18, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received messages of greetings from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
The delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the great leaders
February 18, 2026
The delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the great leaders
A meeting of awarding certificates of delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the Kumsusan
February 18, 2026
A meeting of awarding certificates of delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the Kumsusan
All people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrated the significant lunar New Year's Day. Many people visited the
February 18, 2026
All people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrated the significant lunar New Year's Day. Many people visited the
Soldier-builders and youth shock-brigaders are spending meaningful days in the capital city of Pyongyang after wonderfully
February 18, 2026
Soldier-builders and youth shock-brigaders are spending meaningful days in the capital city of Pyongyang after wonderfully
The leisure complexes in Kangdong and Jongphyong counties and Kaephung District are crowded with people every day, which were
February 18, 2026
The leisure complexes in Kangdong and Jongphyong counties and Kaephung District are crowded with people every day, which were
The "National Contest of Amateur Skiers--2026" was held at the Masikryong Ski Resort between the 15th and the 17th on the occasion
February 18, 2026
The "National Contest of Amateur Skiers--2026" was held at the Masikryong Ski Resort between the 15th and the 17th on the occasion
The Korean Documentary and Science Film Studio has recently produced science films which contribute to the economic development of
February 18, 2026
The Korean Documentary and Science Film Studio has recently produced science films which contribute to the economic development of
Koreans in Japan significantly celebrated the auspicious holiday in February. A meeting of officials of the Central Standing
February 18, 2026
Koreans in Japan significantly celebrated the auspicious holiday in February. A meeting of officials of the Central Standing
A number of universities and colleges have made valuable scientific research findings. Kim Il Sung University made dynamic
February 18, 2026
A number of universities and colleges have made valuable scientific research findings. Kim Il Sung University made dynamic
The Constitution Research Institute under the Koryo Medicine General Hospital made an extensive and profound study and analysis of
February 18, 2026
The Constitution Research Institute under the Koryo Medicine General Hospital made an extensive and profound study and analysis of
A dancing party of youth and students took place on the 16th to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong
February 17, 2026
A dancing party of youth and students took place on the 16th to celebrate the 84th birth anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong
A meeting of awarding the official Party and state commendations to the soldier-builders and youth shock-brigaders who performed
February 17, 2026
A meeting of awarding the official Party and state commendations to the soldier-builders and youth shock-brigaders who performed
Happy laughter of the children can be heard in this country on the significant holiday in February. The respected fatherly Marshal
February 17, 2026
Happy laughter of the children can be heard in this country on the significant holiday in February. The respected fatherly Marshal
Officials, working people, service personnel of the People's Army and school youth and children visited the bronze statues of the
February 17, 2026
Officials, working people, service personnel of the People's Army and school youth and children visited the bronze statues of the
Senior Party and government officials visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and paid noble homage to the great leaders Kim Il
February 17, 2026
Senior Party and government officials visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and paid noble homage to the great leaders Kim Il
Manuel Modesto Munguia Martinez, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Nicaragua to the Democratic
February 17, 2026
Manuel Modesto Munguia Martinez, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Nicaragua to the Democratic
The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued on February 5 Decree
February 17, 2026
The Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued on February 5 Decree
It is a steady principle of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that
February 17, 2026
It is a steady principle of the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looked round the newly-built Pothong Riverside Terraced Residential District on April 2, 2022.
February 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un looked round the newly-built Pothong Riverside Terraced Residential District on April 2, 2022.
More Articles
