English | ‘Seokboche’ Traditional Buddhist Font Introduced on Hangul Proclamation Day
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Author Jogye On13-11-25 17:34 Views25,610 Comments0Related links
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‘Seokboche’ Traditional Buddhist Font Introduced on Hangul Proclamation Day
Free Distribution from the Jogye Order Website and Naver download
(Pic 1. Hangul Seokboche Font subdivided into Normal and Fine Font)
To enhance developmental content of traditional Buddhist culture, traditional Buddhist font named “Seokboche” has been created, ready for free distribution online on the Hangul Proclamation Day, October 9, 2013.
(Pic. 2 On October 1, the Department of Cultural Affairs from the Jogye Order (Director, Ven. Jinmyeong) stated, “Based on the font use in Korean Buddhist text <Seokbosangjeol>, designated as national treasure No. 523, a brand new Seokboche font has been invented. The fount will be distributed free of charge on Hangul Proclamation Day.”
Last year September, the Jogye Order commissioned Ahn Graphics and Typography Institute to develop a new Buddhist Font now designated as Seokboche. Creation of this new font was the result of year long research, sponsored by Anguk Seon Center.
The first Buddhist text ever written in original Korean script was <Seokbosangjeol>, a biography of Shakyamuni Buddha written on the 25th year reign of King Sejong in Joseon Dynasty. Seokboche was invented based on the font used in this hand written text with a touch of modern style. The font is divided into two categories of ‘Normal Seokboche’ and ‘Fine Seokboche,’ consisting of 11,172 Korean characters, 94 Roman characters, 989 symbols, and 4 logos and symbols which represents the Jogye Order.
The font can be used both in Windows and Macintosh operating system, and anyone can download it free from the Jogye Order website and Naver Korean internet portal.
Following the development of Seokboche, Department of Cultural Affairs from the Jogye Order plans to proceed with sequential development of other Korean traditional fonts in the future, including fonts such as Gangyeongdogamche, Ingyeongche, Bumoeunjunggyeongche seen in various Buddhist texts. Official from the Department of Cultural Affairs stated, “this is a culturally significant event because the font has been developed based on the font used in Korean Buddhist scriptures.” And added “ we are hoping that the further development in traditional cultural fonts and maintenance of original Korean traditional form in the future, while the birth of new Buddhist contents and proper utilization of such contents will be helpful in improving the image of the Jogye Order.
