关键词: 如皋刻经处, 雕版印刷, 释妙空, 晚清时期

Abstract: As a branch of Jinling Scriptural Press Office, Rugao Scriptural Press Office has been scarcely studied because of fragmentary historical sources. This paper collected and sorted out the extant books which were printed by Rugao Scriptural Press Office's sutras, analyzed the inscriptions of these sutras' note, made a study on Rugao Scriptural Press Office and its printing activities. Rugao Scriptural Press Office was established by Yangzhou Scripture carving monk Miao Kong between January and February of the eighth year(1869) of Tongzhi in the late Qing Dynasty, Rugao monks Wutang, Mucun, Muru, Jiangdu Lay Buddhist Xu Biru, Rugao Lay Buddhist Wu Yaochen and Wu Deyuan participated in the sutra printing activities. This office was initially located outside Jinghai Gate, the east gate of Rugao, and later moved to Chengjiang Gate, the south gate of Rugao. The funds for sutras printing mainly include monthly donations and fundraising, and the sources of funds had distinctly local characteristics. Its sutras printing activities have been lasted for 25 years, and it has printed the classic editions of Golden Lion Chapter on Avatamsaka Sutras and Huineng's Altar Sutras, etc. The majority of the sutras printed are Hua-yen type sutras, mostly shorter Buddhist sutras.