Description

Three antique framed written fragments of different sutras from the Tripiṭaka in Chinese translation.

The one on the right is a passage from the Sutra of the Buddha Proclaiming the Names of Buddhas, probably a Chinese translation of the Bhadrakalpika Sūtra. Closest translation:

Śāriputra, passing through a hundred buddhalands, there is a world called Virtue, and there a Buddha called the Arhat of Sunlight Radiance, Samyaksaṃbuddha, is now expounding on the Dharma. If a person recites this Buddha’s name with a heart of absolute purity, they will attain merit and satisfaction comparable to the sun, be able to subdue all demons and heterodoxy, and transcend the mundane world for thirty kalpa.

Next to the second to last character 丗 (“thirty” as a somewhat uncommon single character), someone has written in the standard way of writing the number with two characters: 三十 in red)

The middle panel seems to be from Chapter 4 of the Lotus Sutra, specifically this part:

The father, seeing his son, felt pity and wondered what to do. Then one day while looking through the window he saw his son in the distance appearing emaciated and wretched, soiled with dung and dirt. The father took off his necklaces, fine garments, and ornaments and put on torn, filthy clothes. Covering himself with dirt…

The panel on the left is a fragmentary passage from the Mahāprajñāpāramitā Sūtra (Large Perfection of Wisdom Sutra). It is a detailed explanation regarding “Bodhisattva Mahāsattva” (appearing 3 times) in connection with “form, sound, smell, taste, touch and objects of mind” ( appearing 4 times)

Ink and pigment on paper, framed.

Dimensions: 14 1/2″ high x 16″ wide (frame)