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Annotated Painting - Dialogue with Master Yunmen
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Annotated Painting - Dialogue with Master Yunmen
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Annotated Painting - Dialogue with Master Yunmen
CHINA; Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279); By Empress Yang Meizi; Running-regular script; Ink on silk; 79.2 x 32.9 cm; Tenryuji Temple, Kyoto, Japan
Empress Yang Meizi of the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) wrote a postscript commending the image. Chan Master Yunmen Wenyan, the founder of the Yunmen school of Chan Buddhism, is depicted in the illustration just below the text. The story relates that in seeking instruction, Master Yunmen went to Master Xuefeng, who eventually deemed him the successor to his teachings. Master Xuefeng is cited with having said, There is a snake that has a turtle nose in Nanshan. Be sure to observe with caution." This perplexing gong'an was intended to warn others of how to distinguish confusion from realization. Yang utilized this phrase to praise Master Yunmen as "Dauntless Shaoyang |
