Cultivation of Both Merit and Wisdom

CHINA

An excerpt from Song Biographies of Eminent Monks reads, “Among the Dharma practices, nothing can surpass chanting the Buddha’s name and supporting the Triple Gem. In addition, the cultivation of both merit and wisdom alike is the most important and direct path.” It is implied through this idea that both merit and wisdom should be practiced in conjunction with one another in order to set oneself on the right path to realization.
This seal was carved in an ancient bronze script style that borrows influence from the early seal scripts of the Shang (1600–1046 BCE) and Zhou (1046–256 BCE) dynasties. Composed within a well-organized and harmonious grid layout, the result is a work of seal art that possesses an intrinsic and traditional elegance.
Yang Zhongzi, also known as Zuxi or Yisu Daoren, was an artist from Nanjing, Jiangsu. He specialized in oracle bone script, as well as bronze script, and had a particular interest in using bronze script for seal engraving. Seals used by the renowned painter, Xu Beihong, were predominantly made by Yang.