Song Rubbing from Shaanxi, "Bodhisattva·Zhen·Lǜ Gong: Huaisu"

Author: Zhou Hongtu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Huaisu, styled Zangzhen, was a native of Lingling Prefecture, Hunan. He was born in the 25th year of the Kaiyuan era (737) of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and passed away in the 15th year of the Zhenyuan era (799) of Emperor Zong of Tang. As he was a monk in three families, he was known in the history of calligraphy as "Lingling Monk" or "Elder Changsha." Huaisu was an outstanding calligrapher in Chinese history. His cursive script, known as "Crazy Grass," featured round and powerful brushwork, swirling movements like rings, unrestrained and flowing, executed in one breath, and was celebrated alongside Zhang Xu. Later generations referred to them as "Zhang's madness and Hua's wildness" or "Mad Zhang and Drunken Hua." He was also a poet and had connections with other poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu, and Su Huan. The Biographies of Eminent Monks records that Huaisu's great-grandfather Qian Yue served as the magistrate of Quwo County in Weizhou during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, his grandfather Qian Hui was the magistrate of Guangwu County in Yanzhou, and his father Qian Qiang held the position of Left Guardian of the Palace. Lu Yu's Biography of Huaisu states: Huaisu's great-uncle, the monk Huifeng, was also a calligrapher who could imitate Ouyang Xun's style so well that it was said to be indistinguishable. Thus, the locals referred to them as "Great Qian Master" and "Little Qian Master." Huaisu was born with clear and delicate features and was exceptionally intelligent and diligent from a young age. He acted with the maturity of an elder, much beloved by his parents. Therefore, everyone said, "He will surely succeed in his studies, and his talent is extraordinary." When Huaisu was ten years old, "he suddenly developed a desire to become a monk," causing his parents to sigh in distress, but they couldn’t stop him. As they said, "His fierce nature was too strong for his parents to resist." In his Autobiographical Scroll, he also wrote: "Huaisu was raised in Changsha, and from a young age, he devoted himself to Buddhism. In his spare time from meditation, he loved calligraphy." His dedication to studying and practicing calligraphy was remarkable. Li Zhao's Supplement to the History of the Tang Dynasty describes: "Huaisu loved cursive script and claimed to have mastered the essence of the 'sage of grass script.' He piled up discarded brushes and buried them in the mountains, calling it the 'Brush Mound.'" The Biography of Huaisu also says: Huaisu was poor and couldn’t afford paper, so he practiced calligraphy on the walls of temples, on silk, and on utensils. It is also said that he planted over 10,000 banana trees in his hometown and cut their leaves to practice calligraphy. Later, he made a lacquered plate and a lacquered board, writing and erasing them repeatedly until the plate and board were worn through. Huaisu's "brush mound of discarded brushes and worn-out plates" reflects his extraordinary dedication to practice. No wonder Li Zhao described him as "having mountains of brushes and rivers of ink." Huaisu's fame in cursive script had already spread far and wide during his youth. At that time, a hermit named Zhu Ke heard of the young monk's fame in calligraphy and traveled from afar to Hengyang to visit Huaisu, presenting a poem that read: "I came from afar to visit you in Hengyang's guest quarters, and we drank together for a hundred cups, my spirit becoming even more divine." "In your brushwork, I see only surging currents; when your characters are formed, I fear they will twist like coiled dragons. Your strange forms surge like rolling tumbleweeds, and your flying silk is as chaotic as the whirlwind. At such a young age, you are already so extraordinary—throughout history, there is no one to compare with you." Wang Yong, the prefect of Yongzhou, also personally visited Huaisu and presented a poem that read: "The double gorges of Hengyang pierce the sky, their green cliffs towering over ten thousand feet. Here, the spiritual elegance is known to all, but only Huaisu's cursive script is truly extraordinary. Huaisu is five feet and four inches tall, and his chanting and reciting mantras are awe-inspiring. His bronze bottle and bronze staff lean toward the courtyard, and his bamboo and ink brush are full of playful elegance. As the ruler of this state, I am delighted to meet you, and I see great wisdom in your cursive script. Huaisu, Huaisu, you are beyond compare—when I stand by the pool and trace your calligraphy, I am filled with endless remembrance."