석가탑 묵서지편의 판독과 관련한 「무구정광경」의 간행년대에 관한 연구

Abstract

This research examined the records relating to the Mugujeonggwang Darani-gyeong(無垢淨光經: Dharani Sutra) deciphered from the piece of paper that were found in the Seokga-tap Pagoda(釋迦塔) and tried to specify the production date of the Darani-gyeong(Dharani Sutra). The major findings are as follows: ① Based on the records on “the restoration of Mugujeonggwang-tap(无垢淨光塔)” and “the foundation of Seo-Seok-tap(西石塔)”, it was confirmed that the stone pagoda currently called the Seokga-tap Pagoda(釋迦塔) was “Bulguk-sa(佛國寺) Seo-Seok-tap” as well as “Mugujeonggwang-tap”. ② The Mugujeonggwang-gyeong which was the Buddhist Scriptures dedicated on the first foundation of the Seokga-tap Pagoda(742), was continuously kept in the sari-ra case both in 1024 and 1038 when the Pagoda had been restored, and later discovered in 1966. The fact that the Mugujeonggwang-gyeong was already put inside the Seokga-tap Pagoda confirms that it was produced before 742. Therefore, the latest date of production could be 742, all things considered. ③ The calligraphic style of the Mugujeonggwang-gyeong is identical with the writing inside the cover of the sari-ra case found in the Three-Storied Stone Pagoda at Guhwang-li, Gyeongju, with the inscription of 706. Therefore, it can be asserted that the calligraphers of those two writings were the same person. The habit of writing might vary in years so that the earliest production date of the Mugujeonggwang-gyeong could be 706, when this sari-ra case was dedicated in the Three-Storied Stone Pagoda at Guhwang-li. This research proves that the production date of the Mugujeonggwang-gyeong found in the Seokga-tap Pagoda ranged between 706-742, based on the piece of paper also found in the Seokga-tap Pagoda, and recently deciphered.