This sutra comprises 16 gold-sheet squares of the scriptural text and images of various manifestations of Guanyin, the Buddhas and the Guardian kings of the four cardinal directions.This sutra is the abbreviation of Maha-karunika-citta-dharani (千手千眼无碍大悲心陀罗尼经), also know as Sutra of Compassion (大悲咒). It is one of the most commonly recited pieces of scripture by Chinese Buddhists, and is believed to have great power, with the ability to cure a staggering 84,000 illnesses. The act of reciting sutra is to accumulate merits for the afterlife and to end the cycle of rebirth.Sutras made of gold are very rare. Such a lavish form of sutra could have been meant as a gift for renowned visiting monks or for special temple ceremonies.
