The Preface to the Holy Teaching is a collection of calligraphy works, which mainly refers to Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy.
"The Preface to the Holy Religion": The full name is "The Preface to the Holy Religion of the Tripitaka of the Tang Dynasty", written by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. It was first written by Chu Suiliang, one of the four great calligraphers in the early Tang Dynasty, and was called "The Preface to the Holy Religion of the Wild Goose Pagoda". Later, Shamen Huairen collected the calligraphy from Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and carved it into an inscription, which was called "Tang Collection of Youjun Sheng". "The Preface to the Holy Teachings", or "The Preface to the Holy Teachings of Wang Xi's Collection by Huairen", because there are seven Buddha statues engraved horizontally on the head of the stele, it is also called "The Preface to the Seven Buddhas' Holy Teachings".
Wang Xizhi, courtesy name Yishao, was born in Linyi, Langya (now Linyi City, Shandong Province). A minister and calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, he was the son of Yin Wangkuang of Danyang and the son-in-law of Taiwei Xi Jian. He was known as the "Sage of Calligraphy".
Wang Xizhi entered the officialdom with the help of his family background and started as a secretary. He later served as the governor of Jiangzhou, the prefect of Kuaiji, and the general of the Youjun. He was known as "Wang Youjun". In the ninth year of Yonghe's reign, the Lanting Elegant Gathering was organized. The "Preface to the Lanting Collection" written by him has become "the best running script in the world".
Xing Xing was at odds with Wang Shu, and he was ashamed of being below him, so he resigned due to illness. He settled in Kuaiji, where he liked to eat well and nourish his character. He often had banquets with famous people. He died in the fifth year of Shengping (361) and was buried in Jinting Waterfall Mountain.
Wang Xizhi was good at calligraphy. He learned it from Mrs. Wei when he was young. Long, he prepared various styles and refined them in one furnace. He broke away from the writing style of Han and Wei Dynasties and became his own style with far-reaching influence. The style is peaceful and natural, the writing style is euphemistic and subtle, and it is beautiful and graceful.