SHANGHAI'S Jade Buddha Temple today launched a free exhibition with over 120 calligraphy works based on Buddhist Sutra selected from a nationwide competition.

The exhibits include various styles of calligraphy including the seal, oracle, clerical and cursive scripts.

These works combine the Buddhism cultures and philosophies with calligraphy which are expected to create a space for viewers to think quietly and meditate, said Zhou Zhigao, president of Shanghai Calligraphers Association.

Zhou's works are being exhibited along with those by famous calligraphers such as Su Shishu, the president of Chinese Calligraphers Association and Jue Xing, the abbot of the temple.

The temple and the Shanghai China Calligraphy Academy jointly launched the competition in February and collected over 1,600 works from across the nation. An expert's panel picked up the 120 best works through several rounds of evaluations and discussions, said Zhou.

"We tried to involve as many different styles of calligraphy as possible into the winning pieces," said Jue Xing who is also among the experts' panel.

The exhibition is being held in the Juequn Building in the temple on Jiangning Road free of charge through Thursday. After that, the works will be exhibited in Hong Kong between July 12 and 15.

The main pavilion of the temple, also known as Yufo Temple, is being relocated 30 meters away as part of the renovation which will also see two buildings replaced. The Grand Hall, dating from 1918, is moving to the north along with three huge Buddha statues inside.