Buddhism Governs the Mind, Daoism Governs the Body

CHINA; Qing dynasty

According to the full engraving on this seal, “Buddhism governs the mind, Daoism governs the body, and Confucianism governs the country.” The expression serves to elucidate the amalgamation of Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucius philosophies in China, and how each one distinctly influences the country’s people and culture.
Containing multiple seal script characters that meander gracefully among three columns, this seal exhibits a smooth and neat knifing method. Its style is charming, refined, and fresh, following the legacies of Liang Zhi and Deng Shiru. The work in its entirety is enveloped in succinct beauty, and the almost borderless square imprints express a sense of transparency and natural clarity.