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 Marshal Kim Jong Un received a letter of pledge from the members of the congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan on
March 09, 2026
The respected Marshal Kim Jong Un received a letter of pledge from the members of the congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan on
It is the general goal of our education to make it the education to which we can entrust our future without worry. One day in
March 09, 2026
It is the general goal of our education to make it the education to which we can entrust our future without worry. One day in
A national meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture on the 8th to commemorate the 116th March 8 International Women's
March 09, 2026
A national meeting took place at the People's Palace of Culture on the 8th to commemorate the 116th March 8 International Women's
The respected Marshal Kim Jong Un received a letter of thanks from the members of the congratulatory group of the General
March 09, 2026
The respected Marshal Kim Jong Un received a letter of thanks from the members of the congratulatory group of the General
An inter-provincial riding competition took place at the Mirim Riding Club in the capital city of Pyongyang on the occasion of the
March 09, 2026
An inter-provincial riding competition took place at the Mirim Riding Club in the capital city of Pyongyang on the occasion of the
A dancing party of women's union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on the 8th to mark the 116th
March 09, 2026
A dancing party of women's union officials and members took place at the plaza of the Arch of Triumph on the 8th to mark the 116th
An event took place at the Rungna People's Sports Park on the 8th to mark the "AFC Women's Football Day". Present there were
March 09, 2026
An event took place at the Rungna People's Sports Park on the 8th to mark the "AFC Women's Football Day". Present there were
The women across the country significantly celebrated the 116th March 8 International Women's Day. A lot of people visited the
March 09, 2026
The women across the country significantly celebrated the 116th March 8 International Women's Day. A lot of people visited the
An art performance was given with splendour in celebration of the International Women's Day at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on
March 09, 2026
An art performance was given with splendour in celebration of the International Women's Day at the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a meaningful speech to congratulate women across the country on the occasion of the March 8
March 09, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a meaningful speech to congratulate women across the country on the occasion of the March 8
Mass rallies for implementing the decisions of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea were held in cities and counties
March 08, 2026
Mass rallies for implementing the decisions of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea were held in cities and counties
Tens of young people in North Hwanghae Province volunteered to work at major sites of the socialist construction. A meeting for
March 08, 2026
Tens of young people in North Hwanghae Province volunteered to work at major sites of the socialist construction. A meeting for
Enlarged plenary meetings were held at the Party committees of the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Land and Maritime
March 08, 2026
Enlarged plenary meetings were held at the Party committees of the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Land and Maritime
One of the two wheels of the revolution--this is the position and role of the Korean women. As the cart cannot move with one
March 08, 2026
One of the two wheels of the revolution--this is the position and role of the Korean women. As the cart cannot move with one
Successes are reported in the field of forestry. According to data available, 19 units including the Hwaphyong Forestry Station
March 08, 2026
Successes are reported in the field of forestry. According to data available, 19 units including the Hwaphyong Forestry Station
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea regards women as a powerful force for the development of the state and society. The
March 08, 2026
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea regards women as a powerful force for the development of the state and society. The
New greeting cards were produced on the occasion of the March 8 International Women's Day. They represent the warm best wishes,
March 08, 2026
New greeting cards were produced on the occasion of the March 8 International Women's Day. They represent the warm best wishes,
The daily Rodong Sinmun carried an editorial on Sunday under the title "Let Us Fully Demonstrate the Revolutionary Stamina of the
March 08, 2026
The daily Rodong Sinmun carried an editorial on Sunday under the title "Let Us Fully Demonstrate the Revolutionary Stamina of the
The congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, Chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
March 08, 2026
The congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, Chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message
March 07, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message
More Articles
