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Yet many of these sign systems in the able hands of sensitive calligraphers or
master writers reflected their inherent formal aesthetics through their well
formulated structures, taking ordinary writing to the level of Art. At a still
higher level, philosophies of writing have attributed certain sacred qualities
to the written signs, even claiming spiritual experience through the
ritualistic practice of writing.
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A The metaphysical level: The seed-syllable by the Japanese monk Chozen
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IMAGE A By taking the art of calligraphy to the sublime heights of
meditation through the symbolic representation of deities in the form of
letters (seed-syllables), written signs not only served to help acquire a
knowledge base of the physical world around the human being, but also played an
important role in their spiritual and metaphysical needs. Letterforms
essentially aided communication with the unknown via the primal energy behind
their worldly manifestations.
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B All Powerful Ten - the mantra of Kalacakra
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C Mani stone with mantra
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IMAGE B, C According to Tibetan philosophy, the written seed
character (letter) is as potent as a spoken one. The most favoured and potent
of all mantra is om mani padme hum, which in essence represents the
breakthrough (om) of seeing the absolute (mani, jewel) in the
relative (padme, lotus) beyond time, space and individuality
(hum). This mantra of liberation is written on rocks, flags, and
prayerwheels and is regarded as the epitome of Buddhist teachings. The All
Powerful Ten, the mantra of Kalacakra, consisting of ten syllables om,
ha, k-sa, ma, la, va, ra, ya-m and composed in the unique integrated
fashion, is another sacred manifestation of letterforms of the highest order.
In fact the written word, calligraphically written or wood-block printed, still
commands maximum respect in Tibetan faith today.
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D The almighty letter `a'
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IMAGE D Perhaps Siddham (a variant of northern Brahmi from 5th/6th
Century AD India) is the only script in which letterforms have been solely used
for meditative purposes, through the visual symbolism of ritualistically
written seed-syllables, as a part of the practice of esoteric Buddhism in China
and Japan.`A', the seed character of Mahavairocana (Dainichi Nyorai) is
the most important Siddham (meaning of the perfect) character. One
look at the letter a, destroys evil passion; the efficacy of the mantra
transforms this body into Buddha. For the purpose of meditation, the
character is drawn large in either formal or soft style on a scroll and hung on
a wall.
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