The full name is "The Preface to the Holy Teachings of the Tripitaka of the Tang Dynasty". Because the statues of seven Buddhas are engraved on the head of the stele, it is also called "The Preface to the Holy Teachings of the Seven Buddhas". Huairen collected Wang Xizhi's running script. It was built in December of the third year of Xianheng of Tang Dynasty (672). Running script. 30 lines, ranging from 83 to 88 words. "The Preface to the Holy Teachings of the Tripitaka" was written by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty in recognition of Master Xuanzang who went to various countries in the Western Regions to obtain Buddhist scriptures and translated the essential texts of the Tripitaka after returning to China. Prince Li Zhi (Gaozong) also wrote the appendix, Zhuge used his magic power to cut the stone, and Zhu Jingzang engraved the words. The stele is 9.4 feet high and 4.2 feet wide. ***30 lines, ranging from more than 80 words. Now the Forest of Steles in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province.
Monk Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty went through hardships to go to the West to obtain the scriptures. After returning to Chang'an, Tang Monk's devotion to the Buddha and his unswerving spirit of seeking the truth moved the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Taizong was willing to condescend to become Tang Monk. Preface to the Buddhist scriptures. Taizong's preface, Prince Li Zhi's brief introduction and Tang Monk's expression of thanks, "three in one" became the "Sacred Preface to the Tripitaka". Taizong felt that this was not enough, so he ordered the "Preface to the Holy Teachings of the Tripitaka" to be made into a stone tablet to promote the Buddhist culture of the Tang Dynasty. This stone tablet is the famous "Stele of the Preface to the Holy Teachings of the Tripitaka of the Tang Dynasty".
However, who is qualified to write the "Preface to the Holy Teachings of the Tripitaka"? Although there were many calligraphers in the Tang Dynasty, Taizong believed that the person who was qualified to write the "Preface to the Holy Teachings of the Tripitaka" was none other than Wang Xizhi of the Jin Dynasty.
It may not be easy to bring Wang Xizhi back to life in the Tang Dynasty, but it is not difficult to collect Wang Xizhi’s original calligraphy to engrave a monument. Therefore, the eminent monk Huairen of Hongfu Temple in Chang'an readily accepted the order and undertook the task of collecting Wang Xizhi's authentic calligraphy. Huairen believed that this was a blessing and honor for the Buddhist community in the Tang Dynasty. Again, he believed that it would not be difficult to find Wang Xizhi's authentic calligraphy.
After Monk Huairen accepted this task, as he expected, without much effort, he followed the map and collected Wang Xizhi's characters one by one according to the content of the Holy Order of Tripitaka.
Just when the great monk was proud, trouble came. There are three words in the preface that cannot be found. Even if Huairen racked his brains and "held the emperor to command the princes", it was still difficult to find these three words.
Monk Huairen was restless because failing to complete the task would not only be a matter of honor, but would also lead to beheading. He finally came to a sudden idea and immediately asked the court to post a notice. Whoever presented the three characters of Wang Xizhi would be rewarded with a thousand gold coins for each character.
There are brave men under heavy rewards. Finally, the great monk Huairen finally purchased three characters from three collectors. As promised, each collector received a reward of one thousand gold. This is the origin of a word worth a thousand pieces of gold.
Monk Huairen finally collected all Wang Xizhi's words, and he breathed a long sigh of relief. Later, someone asked Huairen what he should do if he couldn't find the three characters. Huairen said: Finding the three characters is mainly because we in the Tang Dynasty promoted Buddhism, believed in heaven and worshiped gods, and moved the world. The appearance of the three characters was Inevitably.