THE OLDEST CHINESE PRINTED WORK IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

This specimen, dated 975 AD, is the earliest example of Chinese printing in the Library of Congress. It is a Buddhist invocation sutra A sutra is a sacred scripture or discourse in the Buddhist tradition, often containing the teachings of the Buddha or ritual incantations. recovered from the foundations of the famous Thunder Peak Pagoda original: Lei-fêng-t'a (雷峯塔), which for nearly 1,000 years stood on the banks of West Lake in Hangzhou original: Hangchow but which collapsed on September 25, 1924. A number of Buddhist sutras had been placed in hollow bricks when the pagoda was erected during the reign of King Qian Chu original: Ch'ien Shu (ruled 929–988 AD), prince of the Kingdom of Wuyue original: Wu-yüeh.

2.01.239.149

Glossary of terms from the original record: Chinese printing, Buddhist invocation sutra, Thunder Peak Pagoda, West Lake, Hangzhou, King Qian Chu, Kingdom of Wuyue, 975 AD.

The Sutra of the Heart of All Tathagatas original: Yiqie Rulai Xinjing (一切如來心經). This is an influential esoteric Buddhist text centered on a powerful dharani (incantation) believed to possess the collective spiritual power of all Buddhas. The full title usually translates to "The Sutra of the Whole-Body Relic Treasure Chest Seal Heart Dharani of All Tathagatas."

(Early Northern Song Dynasty Woodblock Print) original: Beisong chukebon (北宋初刻本). The Northern Song (960–1127 AD) was a pivotal era for the advancement of printing technology in China, moving from manual copying to mass-produced woodblocks.

(Fragmentary Scroll Unearthed from the Leifeng Pagoda) original: Leifengta chutu canjuan (雷峯塔出土殘卷). The Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou collapsed in 1924, revealing a hidden cache of printed scrolls commissioned by King Qian Chu of Wuyue around 975 AD. These were intended to serve as spiritual offerings to ensure the stability of the kingdom.