Final answer:
Using woodblock printing technology, monks were able to produce Buddhist scriptures much faster than hand copying. This method, exemplified by the creation of the Diamond Sutra in 868, allowed for multiple copies to be made quickly and led to the spread of texts among broader audiences during the Tang Dynasty and beyond.
Step-by-step explanation:
The time it took for a monk to produce a Buddhist scripture using woodblock printing technology varied based on the length and complexity of the text, but it was significantly faster than hand copying manuscripts. Once a woodblock was carved, multiple copies could be made quickly, greatly accelerating the process compared to the laborious technique of hand-copying. For example, the Diamond Sutra, known as the world's first block-printed book produced in China in 868, demonstrates the efficiency of this technology in spreading Buddhist teachings. The Chinese monks utilized this method extensively during the Tang Dynasty to democratize access to religious texts, making the scriptures more accessible to the masses.
Woodblock printing was a revolutionary technology that made it possible not just to copy Buddhist scriptures but various texts, allowing knowledge and culture to spread more widely through society. The system involved carving the mirror image of a text into a block of wood, applying ink, and pressing it onto paper. This method remained the predominant way to transfer images onto paper until the end of the 19th century. The historical significance of printed materials like the Diamond Sutra and the Chinese paper money printed with copper metal type during the Northern Song Dynasty has been widely recognized due to these technological advances.