Preface to Sagely Teachings in Wang Xizhi’s Calligraphy - Heart Sutra

CHINA; Tang dynasty

The Heart Sutra is in the last section of the Preface to Sagely Teachings in Wang Xizhi’s Calligraphy, compiled by monk Huairen. This inscription is equally important in both the fields of Buddhism and calligraphy. There are several versions of the Heart Sutra, with Master Xuanzang’s Tang dynasty (618–907) translation being most popular. This inscribed stele was erected in recognition of Xuanzang’s efforts in seeking and translating scriptures from India. Since it was engraved during the Tang dynasty, this stele inscription provides the most valuable source text for research.
Preface to Sagely Teachings in Wang Xizhi’s Calligraphy has historically been an important essay used in the practice of calligraphy. It was considered fundamental for those who sought to emulate the calligraphic style of Wang Xizhi, resulting in many calligraphers engaging the Heart Sutra. The esteemed artistic level of Wang’s calligraphy also made the Heart Sutra as a standard which calligraphers attempted to match. Since Wang’s style of writing was so difficult to reproduce, slight errors and inadequacies were inherited without correction. These imperfections were copied repeatedly, and for better or worse, were eventually recognized as acceptable ways of writing. This piece is therefore said to be the original and most important of all running script copies of the Heart Sutra.
Wang Xizhi, also known as Yishao or Danzhai, was a famous calligrapher of the Eastern Jin dynasty (317–420) who was well-versed in seal, regular, running, and cursive scripts. He is regarded as the Sage of Calligraphy.