Vimalakirti Sutra

CHINA; Later Liang Kingdom

Although the start of this scroll has been damage, the end includes a postscript that identifies the writer as Wang Xianggao, and the year of writing as 393. The Vimalakirti Sutra, known in full as the Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra, describes the discourse between the householder Vimalakirti and Manjusri Bodhisattva on the various aspects of the Dharma. The sutra also discusses the notion of non-duality as expounded in Mahayana Buddhism.
Firm pressure was applied in the execution of the script, as can be observed in the swallow tail strokes that typify clerical calligraphy. There is, however, an apparent integrity in the way the downward falling diagonal strokes were written. While the character structure appears rectilinear, the strong horizontal emphasis of clerical script remains distinctive. An unsophisticated and rustic look is achieved overall. Characters are occasionally exaggerated in form, which add to the erratic and spontaneous nature of the work. As a piece that represents the transition from clerical to regular script, this sutra scroll is regarded significantly in terms of its calligraphic value.