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Diamond Sutra in Wang Xizhi's Calligraphy
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Diamond Sutra in Wang Xizhi's Calligraphy
CHINA; Tang dynasty (618–907), dated 832; Running script; Rubbing
This stone rubbing of the Diamond Sutra, rendered in Wang Xizhi's calligraphic style from the Song dynasty (960-1279), is an exceptionally rare work consisting of over 5000 characters. Only two versions of this rubbing remain today, one in the Shanghai Museum and the other within the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing. A popular scripture in China, the Diamond Sutra inspired and assisted Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of the Chan lineage, to attained enlightenment at the verse, One should bring about the mind which does not abide anywhere." This greatly elevated the emphasis on the study of this sutra. Monks of the Song dynasty were examined on the subjects expounded therein |
