Diamond Sutra

CHINA; Qing dynasty

The sutra is inscribed on a total of nine stone blocks, originally housed in the Avatamsaka Sutra Pagoda of the Xiling Seal Art Society of Hangzhou. As described in Jin Nong’s narration, the calligraphy was written in response to his friend Huang Tingjian’s request to have a sutra inscribed on stone for mass printing and subsequent distribution to places where the Buddha is venerated. According to scholars, Jin Nong’s Diamond Sutra was later used as a reference and engraved by Yuanchun in order to make prints. The prints were then widely distributed generously to various temples and Chan monasteries. As the engraved template was modeled from the same source work, the influence of Jin’s calligraphy can be regarded as substantial and far-reaching.
Though written with keen attention and care, the sutra text appears to overlook technical details. An unadorned and largely rustic outlook similar to the two “Cuan” steles (Cuan Baozi stele and Cuan Longyan stele) is identifiable, albeit without the harsh tendencies of the Cuan steles. As a result, a settled mood is expressed in the piece.
Jin Nong, who was also known as Shoumen or Sinong, was a Qing dynasty (1644–1911) calligrapher and poet from Renhe (present day Hangzhou) of Zhejiang. Jin was proficient in composing poetry and writing calligraphy.