This stone tablet is Preface to Tang Sanzang, which is now in Xi 'an Forest of Steles Museum. How did Wang Xizhi finish this calligraphy work more than 200 years after his death?
Strange things have their roots. It's a long story As we all know, no matter ancient or modern, all religions serve politics. After Buddhism was introduced into China from the East, it developed and evolved, attached to the dominant Confucianism together with Taoism, and became the main part of ideology in feudal society. It played a positive role in maintaining and consolidating feudal rule. In the long history of more than two thousand years, Buddhism and Taoism competed for each other. Either the east wind overwhelms the west wind, or the west wind overwhelms the east wind. This is a great struggle. The preface tablet of Sanzang in the Tang Dynasty is such a product.
Li Tang inherited the mantle of the Sui Dynasty, but his attitude towards Buddhism was different from that of the Sui Dynasty.
According to historical records, Emperor Wendi of the Sui Dynasty was born in the Prayoni Temple in Fengyi (now Dali, Shaanxi) and raised by monks and Taoist immortals. According to legend, when he was 7 years old, Shenni Zhixian once said to him: When you were a child, you came from the East; Buddhism is to be destroyed, and it should be promoted by children (Taoist and Taoist Collection of Ancient and Modern Buddhism and Taoism). Emperor Wendi of Sui Dynasty predicted the God of Nuni, and often mentioned that after he ascended the throne, he still said, "Every time I take Shenni as the word, the cloud said," I am inspired by Buddha "(relic induction), as one of the evidences of the legitimacy of the regime.
Yang Jian was born in a Buddhist temple rather than a Taoist temple, so he naturally got close to the monks, who were also beaten. When Tang Gaozu ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, the Taoists all over the world naturally rejoiced, and with haste and joy, the emperor came to my house!
Although Li Yuan established a new dynasty, the influence of the gentry was too great since Wei and Jin Dynasties. Although Li is a national surname, compared with Shandong cremation, he is still far behind. Li Yuan's inferiority complex led him to recognize Li Er, the founder of Taoism, as the founder. Originally, I just wanted to support my family and maintain the rule against the Shandong gentry, but inadvertently led to the prosperity of Taoism in the early Tang Dynasty.
Monks don't want to be left out in the cold, so Master Xuanzang is duty-bound to shoulder his due historical responsibility, "venturing beyond the concession and going to Tianzhu privately" to gain the true scriptures. Wan Li, not far from Xuanzang, rushed to learn Buddhism at Nalanduo Temple in Tianzhu, the highest Buddhist institution in India, where he was awarded the title of "Master Sanzang". "Master Sanzang" is an honorific title for people who are proficient in Buddhist scriptures, laws and discussions on Sanzang. Also called "Monk Monk", "Monk Saint" or "Sanzang". Among more than 4,000 Buddhist monks in Nalanduo Temple, more than 1000 are proficient in 20 Dharmas. There are more than 500 people who are proficient in 30 methods; Only monks who are proficient in 50 Dharmas can get the title of "Sanzang Master". Master Jie Xian, the elder of Nalanduo Temple, was the most famous Buddhist scholar in India at that time. Xuanzang studied with him for five years, and after a rigorous examination, he was awarded the title of "Master Sanzang".
After experiencing 81 difficulties, monk Xuanzang finally returned to China in the 19th year of Tang Zhenguan. Tang Sanzang returned with great honor, and Chang 'an was greeted by ten thousand soldiers. Li Shimin personally greeted him and praised him. Soon, Tang Sanzang presented Li Shimin with the Tang Dynasty's Records of the Western Regions written by him in Hongfu Temple, together with five translated Buddhist scriptures, and invited Emperor Taizong to make a preface twice. Emperor Taizong was moved and prefaced Xuanzang's thank-you table and the translated Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra, and Prince Li Zhi made comments. Master Xuanzang was proud of this and thanked him again. The monks were so proud that they proposed to carve a monument for it.
Preface to the Three Monks in the Tang Dynasty was first written by Chu Suiliang, a master of regular script in the early Tang Dynasty and then prime minister. In the 4th year of Yonghui in Tang Gaozong (653), two steles, Preface and Record, were placed in niches on both sides of the south gate of Ci 'en Temple Pagoda, and were named Preface Monument to the Three Zangs of Yanta. Hidden in the forest of steles is monk Huairen of Hongfu Temple who feels the court's love for Buddhism. Emperor Taizong's admiration for Wang Xizhi's calligraphy was engraved by the words of Wang Xizhi, a book sage.
Huairen's move is not only to promote Buddhism, but also to flatter Emperor Taizong. I didn't know that I thought things were too simple until I received the words-I searched Wang Xizhi's copybook in the palace and tried hard for 24 years, but I still couldn't find a few words. Monk Huairen had no choice but to ask the court to post a notice, and whoever gave a word needed in the inscription would be rewarded with 1000 yuan. Therefore, the story of Wang Xizhi's one-word daughter has been circulated in history, and this famous monument carved through hardships has won the reputation of "daughter monument".