Hand copying of a sutra is called Shakyo. For Shakyo, you may use tracing paper to lay on to copy sutra. It is not calligraphy, and it does not matter if your writing is good or bad. You just need to copy the sutra with heart, neatly, courteously, and carefully. In Japan, Shakyo is first done at Buddhist temple in the reign of Emperor Temmu (the 40th emperor of Japan) in 673. Since then,Syakyo is done as Buddhist practice for various sacred purposes, such as memorial services, prayers, and devotions Shakyo culture has been supporting and healing our mind beyond the era.