On the morning of June 18th, 2024, a pictorial exhibition of Venerable Master Hongyi's “Collection of Seals” stored by the Xiling Seal Engraver’s Society was grandly opened at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou. The exhibition, titled “Footprints in Snow Left by a Wild Swan; Best Wishes Borne in Stone Engravings”, was co-organized by Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Xiling Seal Engraver’s Society, Hangzhou Buddhist Association, Lingyin Temple, and Zhejiang Yunlin Academy.
Venerable Master Hongyi is a renowned monk and eminent figure in modern Chinese history, known for his high spiritual attainment and exceptional artistic accomplishment, revered both domestically and internationally. Having deep ties with Hangzhou, he became an early member of the Xiling Seal Engraver’s Society in 1914. He was tonsured at Hupao Temple in 1918, and received ordination at Lingyin Temple in the same year.
In 1918, the Xiling Seal Engraver’s Society established the "Collection of Seals" on a stone wall at the Gushan Hongxue Path to house the 94 seals donated by Venerable Master Hongyi, which symbolize the friendship and artistic connections between Venerable Master Hongyi and members of the Xiling Seal Engraver’s Society, the Leshi Society, the disciples of Wu Changshuo, childhood friends, and like-minded educators. This exhibition, through a blend of visuals and textual information, showcases the content and research findings related to these seals, vividly portraying the humanistic concerns of Venerable Master Hongyi as a distinguished modern artist and educator.
