Inscription on the Reburying of Relics at Chanzhong Temple

CHINA; Tang dynasty

Li Deyu was a chancellor of the Tang dynasty (618–907) who represented the Li faction in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles. He was also known to be a strong advocate of the subsequent persecution of Buddhism. Ironically, this inscription by Li Deyu records his donation of a golden casket and a silver receptacle wrapped in nine layers of embroidered cloth for the re-inhuming of relics in the underground palace of Ganlu Temple in Jiangsu. The inscription consists of 14 lines totaling 172 characters. It is regarded as an important subject of research on Li’s attitude towards Buddhism.
Development of the regular script reached its height during the Tang dynasty. Even works of unknown calligraphers were of considerably good quality. The works of Liu Deyu, who was a contemporary of Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan, show signs of both calligraphers’ influences in their strong, broad style and stiff strokes.