세계에서 가장 오래된 금속 활자: 직지The World’s Oldest Metal Movable Type: Jikji

 

When we talk about the history of printing, many people instantly think of Johannes Gutenberg and his 15th-century European movable type press. However, history holds a fascinating surprise from South Korea.

About 78 years before Gutenberg's invention, Korea had already mastered metal movable type printing. The definitive proof of this technological milestone is the Jikji (직지), formally known as Baekun Hasang Choryuk Simche Yojeol.

Here is a guide to understanding the historical significance of Jikji and Korea's rich printing heritage.

Part 1: Historical Significance of Jikji

1. What is Jikji?

• Creation: Jikji was printed in July 1377 at Heondeoksa Temple in Cheongju, during the Goryeo Dynasty.

• Content: It is a collection of essential Buddhist teachings compiled by Monk Baegun.

• UNESCO Recognition: In 2001, Jikji was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, cementing its status as an invaluable world heritage artifact.

2. Comparison with Gutenberg

• Gutenberg Bible: Printed in 1455 in Europe.

• Jikji: Printed in 1377, a full 78 years earlier than the Gutenberg Bible.

Part 2: Korea's Advanced Printing Technology

The creation of Jikji was not a standalone achievement but a result of advanced metallurgical and engineering techniques:

• Durability and Efficiency: Movable metal type allowed for the mass production of books, fostering the rapid spread of knowledge, literature, and administrative efficiency during the Goryeo Dynasty.

• The Precursor (Gojong's Time): Even before Jikji, Korean artisans had used metal type to print the Sangjeong Gogeum Yemun in the early 13th century, proving an even earlier foundation for the technology.

Part 3: Where to Learn More in Korea

For foreign travelers interested in this piece of history:

1. The National Museum of Korea (Seoul): Hosts exhibits dedicated to ancient Korean printing and the Goryeo Dynasty.

2. Cheongju Early Printing Museum: Located in the city where Jikji was printed, this museum offers hands-on exhibitions of the movable type process.

Part 4: Useful Korean Phrases

• "Jikji-neun eol-ma-na o-rae-doen-na-yo?" means "How old is Jikji?"

• "Han-guk-ui in-swae-sul-eun dae-da-ha-yo" means "Korean printing technology is amazing."

"만약 어떤 사람이 이 경전의 사구게(네 줄의 짧은 가르침)만이라도 받아 지니고 다른 사람을 위해 설명해 준다면, 그 복덕은 세상의 모든 보물을 보시하는 것보다 더 뛰어나다."

"If someone accepts and upholds even a four-line verse of this sutra and explains it to others, their merit will far exceed that of giving away all the treasures in the world."

불교 금강경 제4분 묘행무주분

Section 4 of the Diamond Sutra (Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra)