Oldest printed book published national geographic society. The buddhist text known as the diamond sutra is believed to be the oldest surviving printed book in the world. This copy of the diamond sutra is the worlds earliest, dated, printed book ad 868. Ask people to name the worlds oldest printed book and the common reply is gutenbergs bible. Made in 868 ad and written in chinese, the text contains a significant dialogue on perception, and is one of the most important sacred works of the buddhist faith. Printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the. While this copy of the diamond sutra is now considered the oldest known printed book, its contents are central to indian buddhism, and are believed to have been translated from. A central text of indian buddhism, the diamond sutra was first translated. On may 11, 868, publishers in china printed the diamond sutra, today the oldest surviving dated, printed book. It is an important buddhist text that has a long and profound history. A copy of the chinese version of diamond sutra, found among the dunhuang manuscripts in the early 20th century by aurel stein, was dated back to may 11, 868 and is the earliest complete survival of a dated printed book.
Diamond sutra, first printed book on 11 may 868 ce history. Vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is a mahayana buddhist. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book. The sutra, which meditates on the illusory nature of the material worldthe central theme of buddhism, was originally written in sanskrit in india, from which it was translated to chinese in 401 ad. Few venture that the answer is a revered buddhist text called the diamond sutra, printed in 868 a. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest. The extraordinary discovery of the worlds oldest book 09122012 08. Thats pretty cool, especially because it was printed in the year 868 using a technique thats similar to modern offset printing. The diamond sutra is the worlds earliest dated printed book. Diamond sutra a new translation of the classic buddhist text. The diamond sutra is an ancient buddhist sermon that generation of buddhists have memorized and chanted since at least the fifth century. The diamond sutra, as described by the british library, is the worlds earliest complete survival of a dated printed book. The diamond sutra, the earliest surviving dated complete printed. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds.
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