Inscription of Sculpture Commissioned by Jiang Zuan

CHINA; Northern Qi dynasty

This inscription, found on a sculpture commissioned by Jiang Zuan, states that it was made with the intent of accumulating blessings for his son. Although the sculpture itself is of a Daoist figure, the inscription consists of a Buddhist prayer that reads, “Those in the Three Unwholesome Realms may liberate themselves from the ocean of suffering; sentient beings born of the Six Realms and Four Births may attain happiness; any being with a form may attain enlightenment.” This combination of Daoist and Buddhist sentiments are considered evidence of the spread of Buddhism at this time.
Although the calligraphy may be lacking in neatness and formality, there is a considerable amount of substance and power seen in the sincerity of the writing and the mindful way in which the subject is handled, which results in a work that is both artistically and spiritually significant.