A Book of Buddhist Lyrics from Ming China
Songs Proclaiming the Titles of All the Honorable Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
  • Ming Dynasty, 1417
  • Woodblock print on paper
  • Bogwangsa Temple, Sokcho
  • Gangwon Special Self-governing Province Tangible Cultural Heritage

This book of Buddhist songs was imported in 1417 from Ming China to Joseon. Emperor Yongle of Ming China, a devout Buddhist, commissioned this compilation of Buddhist lyrics intended to help chant the names of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and arhats. The Joseon court distributed copies of this anthology in the regions that served as the first point of entry for Ming envoys, encouraging the Koreans to learn it by heart so that they could sing its songs when welcoming Chinese representatives. This initiative indicates the efforts of the Joseon court to avoid the possibility that its official policy against the Buddhist religion would restrain the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. The illustrations of this book were later appropriated as illustrations for Buddhist scriptures.