Great Master's Preaching at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Author: Ji Yaping (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: This book is a special collection from the Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts of the National Library of China, one of the selected stone inscriptions and calligraphy by Liang Qichao. The collection features famous stone inscriptions and calligraphy by Liang Qichao, with exquisite printing craftsmanship, primarily using Ming or Qing Dynasty (Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns) prints. It also includes Liang Rengong's own inscriptions, providing historical and literary context. The collection is beneficial for calligraphy enthusiasts to study ancient classics, for those interested in stone inscriptions and literature to cross-reference and verify, and for scholars researching Liang Rengong to broaden their perspectives and discover new historical facts. This particular volume is the "Yanta Shengjiao Xu" (The Holy Teaching from Yanta Temple Preface).
The stele is divided into two stones: one for the preface and the other for the record. The preface was inscribed on October 15, 653 (the fourth year of the Yonghui reign of the Tang Dynasty), and the record on December 10 of the same year. The stones were erected at the Xian'en Temple in Xi'an, Shaanxi. The stones are of high quality and have remained largely intact to this day. The preface was written by Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang), and the record by Li Zhi (Emperor Gaozong of Tang). The calligraphy was executed by Chu Suiliang in regular script. The book is a cut-and-mounted edition, bound in two volumes. The preface comprises 19 and a half sheets, and the record 16 sheets, each measuring 12.5 cm in height and 11 cm in width. Liang Qichao wrote the title slip. The book is stamped with seals such as "Rengong," "Liang Qichao," "Yinbing Study Collection," "Shuangtao's Former Residence," "Zhu Family's Treasure," "Yinbing Study Collection of Stone Inscriptions and Calligraphy," "Pang Zhige's Collection of Stone Inscriptions," and "Nianci's Seal." The collection passed through the hands of Fei Nianci, Pang Zhige, and Liang Qichao. It includes five inscriptions by Liang, Fei, and Pang Zhige. This is a Ming Dynasty print, with the final stroke of the three instances of "Xuan" in the preface preserved as in the original, and the final stroke of the two instances of "Zhi" in the record missing.