Vow of Upholding Precepts

CHINA; Northern Song dynasty

Huang Tingjian, an ardent Buddhist, wrote this as his commitment to follow the precepts. The work contains 237 characters in 69 lines and states that if this vow is broken, he would suffer for his own faults, as well as those of others. Chan Master Huaiwei of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) described the piece as “inspiring and strikingly powerful when chanted.” The form of this calligraphy is unadorned and somewhat childlike. On careful observation, the strokes and details of each character demonstrate an evolving style that shows a Yan Zhenqing influence.
Huang Tingjian was a calligrapher and poet of the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127). He was a lay Buddhist who studied the Linji school teachings, and often infused Chan essence into his works of calligraphy.