farfel_n03_052_156

Hangzhou - the main printing centra in Sung times.

Shakyamuni - the historical Buddah - India
563-483 BCE.
The major Mahayena Sutras (Scriptures) were
composed from the 1st C BCE through the
4th C CE
charms - dharani
Lohans - worthy ones or perfected saints

Buddhism 1) Mahayana or Great Vehicle - so
named because its goal is to carry all beings
across the ocean of suffering to salvation.
2) Tantric or esoteric whose teachings are
concealed from ordinary believers
Chan (Zen) Buddhism - emphasized the practice
of meditation.
Bodhisattva - the ideal figure - beloved above all -
Avalokiteshvara, known in chinese as Guanyin

Chinese seals quality of the stone
carving of the "knob" (usually an animal)
design of the legend

Chinese inks - composed of pinesoot + animal glue
molded into cakes, ground against an inkstone
to which water was added. Fine ink making
reached its zenith during the late Ming dynasty
Laufer (1931) - China - printing from wooden blocks - initial
stages 6th + 7th C.
Under the Sung dynasty - an enormous output
of literature + corresponding advance in the art
of printing