The oldest Japanese book Diamond Sutra was printed in ?a)AD 686b)AD 868c)AD 668d)AD 866Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

Print in Japan. Around AD 768-770 Buddhist missionaries from China introduced hand-printing technology into Japan .The oldest Japanese book, the Buddhist Diamond Sutra was printed in AD 868, it contained six sheets of text and woodcut illustrations.

Answer

Diamond sutra is the oldest book printed in AD 868 Buddhist diamond sutra was the first book to be printed in japan.

Answer

Introduction:
The Diamond Sutra, also known as the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra, is one of the oldest surviving printed books in Japan. It is a Mahayana Buddhist text that was translated from Sanskrit into Chinese by the monk Kumārajīva in the 5th century. The Diamond Sutra was then brought to Japan and printed using woodblock printing techniques.

Background:
Woodblock printing was one of the earliest methods of printing in East Asia. It involves carving characters and images onto a wooden block, applying ink to the block, and then pressing it onto paper to create a print. This technique was used to print Buddhist texts, such as the Diamond Sutra, as well as other important documents during ancient times.

The Oldest Japanese Book:
The Diamond Sutra was printed in Japan during the Heian period, which lasted from 794 to 1185 AD. The exact year of its printing is not known, but it is believed to have been printed around 868 AD. This makes it the oldest surviving printed book in Japan.

Significance of the Diamond Sutra:
The Diamond Sutra is highly revered in Buddhism and is considered to be one of the most important sutras in Mahayana Buddhism. It emphasizes the concept of emptiness and the importance of transcending attachments and illusions. The text is named after the metaphor of a diamond that can cut through all illusions and reveal the true nature of reality.

Influence on Japanese Buddhism:
The printing of the Diamond Sutra in Japan played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism and the development of printing techniques in the country. It allowed for the mass production and dissemination of Buddhist texts, making them more accessible to a wider audience. This helped to popularize Buddhism and had a profound impact on the religious and cultural development of Japan.

Conclusion:
The Diamond Sutra, printed around 868 AD, is the oldest surviving printed book in Japan. Its printing using woodblock techniques during the Heian period marked a significant milestone in the history of Japanese Buddhism and the development of printing in the country. The Diamond Sutra continues to be an important Buddhist text and is studied and revered by Buddhists around the world.

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