What is the earliest complete survival of a dated printed book?

The Diamond Sūtra (Sanskrit:Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra) is a Mahāyāna (Buddhist) sūtra from the Prajñāpāramitā, or "Perfection of Wisdom" genre, and emphasizes the practice of non-abiding and non-attachment. The Diamond sutra is one of the most influential Mahayana sutras in East Asia, and is a key object of devotion and study in Zen Buddhism.

A copy of the Chinese version of Diamond Sūtra, found among the Dunhuang manuscripts in the early 20th century by Aurel Stein, was dated back to May 11, 868. It is, in the words of the British Library, "the earliest complete survival of a dated printed book."

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32 Comments

Renee Shirley

Question is worded strangely.

james parrillo

Phoebe Figalily, Hi! I think Roslyn Russell's comment just showed that the explanation caused her to consider the former printing processes, since she already knew about the movable metal type. As you mention, more details are often in the reference article. This one explains that "the earliest dated printed book" was printed using woodblocks. I can appreciate how it sparked her to think further about the question. It is interesting to see what people can add to a topic, or the questions they formulate after reading the explanation. As long as the additions are edifying, they only add to the QuizzClub experience. Have a great day! Christine, James' wife

catmom

MohamedLarbi Bouabdallah, This can be printed by Monks into a book.

catmom

Roslyn Russell, thx, I love that. It was interesting.

catmom

ninakamwene, Me too bc I am one. This was easy for a Buddhist.

james parrillo

Marian Spitzig, The article says the book was printed using wood blocks. The date appeared as part of the colophon, usually found at the end of a book at that time. Christine, James' wife

james parrillo

Roslyn Russell, No, you were correct about the woodblocks, according to the link from the words "the earliest dated printed book". Still, thank you for the extra thought about the question. Christine, James' wife

james parrillo

Roslyn Russell, That is a good question. Perhaps, it is actual hand printing. The reference article mentions monks making copies. Could that be it? Thank you, Christine, James' wife

james parrillo

earlepg, I ruled out the Book of the Dead, mistakenly supposing it to be associated with the Day of the Dead in Mexico. It seems the book mentioned is older than the Diamond Sutra. I am surprised the first recorded date is over 800 years into the A.D. Thank you, Christine, James' wife