How to learn to carve Buddha seals

To create a Buddha statue seal, you must first have an understanding of Buddhist culture and conduct in-depth research on the style, content, clothing, and posture of traditional Buddha statues. For example, there are differences between the Buddhist statues in the Wei and Jin Dynasties and the Buddhist statues in the Tang Dynasty, the differences between the shapes of Tibetan Buddha statues and those in the mainland, and the shapes of Buddha, Bodhidharma, Guanyin, and the Eighteen Arhats. Utensils such as lotus stands, Bodhi trees, Buddha beads, Buddha lights, and even pagodas are all particular. I once saw a Buddha statue seal, and a six-story pagoda was carved next to the Buddha statue. This is related to the lack of knowledge about Buddhist culture. In Buddhism, the number of floors of all pagodas is an odd number, and there are no even-numbered pagodas. , this is a common-sense mistake. I also read about a Buddha statue seal with the inscription "Make a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva" on the side, but the surface of the seal does not look like "Guanyin".

The creation of the Buddha statue seal must be linked to certain elements in seal cutting, and its artistry must be emphasized. It cannot be said that the Buddha statues in some catalogs are moved into the seal to make it look like The pattern or logo design has no charm, no sense of knife, no density, symmetry, and balance. The straightness and thickness of the lines are not particular. It cannot be regarded as the art of Buddha sealing, but can only be regarded as a miniature stone carving. Of course, the style's craftsmanship and roughness are there, but its artistic language cannot be lost, at least it must achieve a "Indian" effect. It must have the solemnity, solemnity, vividness and aura of Buddha statues, as well as the reality, oddity, opening and closing, and flesh-and-blood relationship of seal cutting. As for saying that the author must have compassion in his heart, wash his hands and purify his heart, in order to engrave the wonderful image of Buddha that he instantly perceives in his heart, that is another realm.

The use of Buddha statues in calligraphy and painting works is also particular. Nowadays, many calligraphers and painters use the seals of Buddha statues to stamp them indiscriminately. Some are used as horn seals, and some are stamped on works that have nothing to do with Buddha. This is all against Buddhist principles. Regarding the use of the Buddha seal, first, it can only be used as an introductory seal, which should be placed at a suitable position above or in the middle of the work. The Buddha is for worship. It is not suitable to be stamped under the work as a stamp, let alone under the name seal. It is a kind of blasphemy to the Buddha. The second is that it should be covered with works related to Buddhism and Buddhist culture, such as Buddhist sayings, Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist poems, or poems, couplets, articles, paintings, etc. that contain Buddhist principles, Buddha nature, Zen ideas, and Zen meanings. The seal should be inscribed on these works. One or more Buddha statue seals can not only enhance the interest of the content, but also complement each other and add the finishing touch, so that the seal and the work can achieve a perfect integration. On the contrary, it is nondescript and laughable.

Buddha is kind, peaceful, pure, and at the same time sacred. Good Buddha seal works can adjust people's mentality and improve their realm, from which they can realize many Buddhist, Taoist and Zen thoughts. We are When creating or using Buddha seals, you should understand them carefully. Hope this helps!