North Yongle Canon (Complete 200 volumes) (Luxury Hardcover)

Author: None
Publisher: Shanzhuang Shujujia
Publishing Date: 2004-07-01
Features:
1. In nearly six hundred years, the second large-scale reorganization and republication of the Ming Dynasty's "Liyong Beizang" has taken place, especially as a complete imperial Buddhist canon, and its value is immeasurable.
2. In recent years, the spread of Buddhist cultural has been rapid, with numerous Buddhists worldwide, numbering over 600 million. Among them, wealthy merchants who have converted to Buddhism are not scarce, often donating money and materials to temples, spending generously to obtain scriptures—these are the basic functions of lay Buddhists.
3. Considering its cultural heritage value, collection, and ceremonial value, the publishing, printing, binding, and material selection of this work are meticulously crafted to achieve perfection. It not only emphasizes the unique style of ancient woodblock printing but also sets a precedent in printing techniques, making it a monumental artifact edition of the modern era. Each set is an unparalleled masterpiece, designed to be passed down through generations.
4. The reprinted line-bound edition of the "Liyong Beizang" was inscribed by the President of the Buddhist Association of China and renowned monks from various publishing houses. The "Liyong Beizang" was commissioned by the Ming Emperor Taizong in 1421 to be carved in Beijing and completed in 1440 during the Zhengtong era, making it the only surviving complete imperial edition of Buddhist scriptures. The canon comprises 636 boxes, arranged in the Thousand-Character Classic sequence from Tian to Shi, totaling 1,621 volumes, 6,361 chapters. Later, in 1584 during the Wanli era, 36 works from various Buddhist schools were added, comprising 41 boxes and 410 chapters, which were incorporated into the collection. Additionally, the "Liyong Nanzang" with 4 types of scriptures and catalogs (totaling 5 types, 15 boxes, and 153 chapters) was included, altering the traditional folding-bound format. The characters were enlarged, and the layout was adjusted to 25 lines per page, with 5.5 half-pages per line, 17 characters per line, and Zhao-style calligraphy. The original printing was in accordion form, with clear margins and elegant, delicate calligraphy, showcasing the grandeur of the imperial court. Historical records indicate that after completion, the "Liyong Beizang" was exclusively collected by the imperial family and rarely distributed as gifts, prohibiting private printing. As a result, it has been preserved in extremely limited quantities. Since the original woodblocks were no longer recorded after the Kangxi era, only a few fragmented copies remain today worldwide. The "Liyong Beizang" preserved in the Palace Museum in Beijing is one such rare treasure, now a national treasure of immense value.
The reprinted "Liyong Beizang" is based on the original woodblocks from the Qing imperial collection in the Palace Museum. Due to the age of the original, over 500 chapters are missing, and the woodblocks are heavily damaged by insects. To preserve the original appearance of the book, advanced digital printing technology was employed, ensuring top-tier printing quality. The text is printed in two colors with a blue border for easy reading, fully capturing the texture and style of the original.
The reprinted "Liyong Beizang" is the first large-scale effort in nearly six hundred years to organize and republicate a luxurious imperial Buddhist canon. This is an unprecedented initiative in the global Buddhist community, combining the efforts of 136 leading scholars and experts from mainland China to meticulously proofread every word and sentence, ensuring the preservation of the original essence. The monumental work took three years to complete.
The "Liyong Beizang" is not only a textbook for daily recitation and practice for Buddhist followers but also a revered and (: - - - - - - - - -) by temples and monasteries. It holds immense documentary value, serving as a reference in history, academia, and collection. It is an ideal collection for Buddhist libraries, museums, academies, and associations, as well as a valuable resource for scholars and lay Buddhists engaged in cultural and religious studies.
This complete set of the "Liyong Beizang" comprises 200 volumes, bound in large 16-page luxury editions, with over 900 pages per volume.