Lotus Sutra - Introductory Chapter

CHINA; Tang dynasty

Inked with gold pigmented paste on dark blue indigo-dyed paper, this manuscript carries a visually alluring contrast that complements both the text and background. The contents are from the “Introductory Chapter,” which describes how the Lotus Sutra came about as a result of the Buddha’s desire to teach sentient beings about Mahayana Buddhism.
The calligraphy consists of long brushstrokes that were gracefully and smoothly executed. The beginnings and ends of the strokes were elegantly scripted, and the rounding of each stroke was carefully articulated. Characters were structured with a strict conformity to standards, an indication that regular script reached its height of development. Another interesting feature of this manuscript is how similarly it compares in style to Preface to Sagely Teachings at Dayan Pagoda, a work scripted by Chu Suiliang, a renowned Tang dynasty (618–907) calligrapher.