The page is a traditional woodblock print with vertical columns of text. Several red seal impressions, likely belonging to historical collectors or libraries, are stamped over the text. The paper shows signs of aging, including dark spots (foxing) and some smudging. The bottom edge is visibly frayed, resulting in the loss of the final characters of each column.

Preface to the Propagation of the Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law

Daoxuan (596–667 CE) was a highly influential monk and the founder of the Lu (Vinaya) school of Buddhism in China. Mount Zhongnan, near the capital of Chang'an, was a major center for Buddhist practice.

The Sutra of the Lotus Flower of the Wonderful Law original: "妙法蓮華經" (Miao fa lian hua jing) is the essential reason for which all Buddhas manifest their divine presence in this world. It remained stored and hidden in the regions of the Great Xia original: "大夏" (Daxia); a term used here to refer to the Western Regions or ancient Bactria, indicating the sutra's long history in Central Asia before reaching China for a thousand years. It has now been transmitted eastward to China original: "震旦" (Zhendan); an ancient Buddhist name for China, derived from the Sanskrit Cinasthana for more than three hundred years.

During the Yongkang era 300–301 CE of Emperor Hui of the Western Jin dynasty, the "Bodhisattva of Dunhuang," Dharmarakṣa original: "竺法護" (Zhu Fahu); a prolific translator of Central Asian origin who was instrumental in bringing Buddhist texts to China, who resided at the Blue Gate of Chang'an, first translated this scripture?.