Name/TitleBuddhist monastic rules, British Library, Or.8210/S.797

About this objectThis manuscript was discovered in Dunhuang, on the borders of China and Central Asia, and dates to 406. It contains a copy of the Pratimoksasutra, a set of rules for monks of the Sarvastivadin School of Buddhism which flourished in Gandhara and north-west India. Many texts such as this were translated into Literary Sinitic by Kashmiri monks in the late 4th century: this was translated by Punyatrata. It is a copy made by a monk, Deyou 德祐, who had received his full ordination in 405. He apologies for his handwriting and hopes that no-one will laugh at it: Buddhist clergy were literate but Dunhuang was a multicultural place and it is possible that the monk was not Chinese. Such texts were later transmitted to Korea and Japan to help regulate monastic life.

Date Made406

Place MadeDunhuang

Subject and Association KeywordsLiving in Belief

Subject and Association KeywordsBooks

Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Insook 2015; Zwalf 1985.

Medium and Materialsink on paper, with wood

TechniqueManuscript

Measurements24.6 x 700 cm

Credit LineThe British Library

Object numberEXH66: Or.8210/S.797