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'Sacred Scripts: World religions in manuscript and print' celebrates these texts and includes printed Buddhist scripts from the eighth century CE, which are among the earliest datable printed documents in the world. Examples of finely illustrated Christian Bibles and illuminated Qur'ans are also on display.

From its beginnings, writing has been closely associated with fulfilling the needs of religion. Most religious texts began as recited texts, preserved in orally transmitted form, but gradually they came to be written down and were often collected into an accepted canon. ̽»¨Ö±²¥importance of these texts meant that, as writing and the creation of documents developed, they became the inspiration for magnificent, and often highly decorated, forms of manuscripts, books and other artefacts.

This exhibition aims to show how religious devotion has led to the creation of objects whose diversity and beauty are striking, yet whose purpose was both specific and practical.

Other highlights include:
̽»¨Ö±²¥first book produced in Europe using moveable metal type, the Gutenberg Bible printed in Mainz, circa 1455.
Adharani printed in the 8th century. This Buddhist invocation is among the earliest datable printed documents in the world.
A leaf from the earliest known Coptic manuscript of St John's Gospel, from the fourth century.

Peter Fox, the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Librarian said:

" ̽»¨Ö±²¥ ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Library has an outstanding collection of religious texts and images from all over the world and we are delighted to provide the opportunity for the general public to see some of the most important and beautiful of these".

'Sacred Scripts: World religions in manuscript and print' will be open at Cambridge ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Library, West Road, Cambridge from 4 November 2003 to 24 April 2004. (Closed 24 December 2003- 1 January 2004 and 9 - 12 April 2004 inclusive)

̽»¨Ö±²¥opening hours are Monday- Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-4.30pm. Admission to the exhibition is free.