Gulin Qingmao

CHINA, Zhejiang, Wenzhou; Yuan dynasty

Gulin Qingmao, also known as Mao Gulin and Kurin Seimo in Japanese, was a calligrapher and monk of the Linji school of Chan Buddhism from Yueqing, Wenzhou. Having renounced at age 13, it is said that he was greatly inspired by the words of Monk Gao’an. During the following 20 years after his renunciation, he traveled extensively and studied under many wise monks. He eventually obtained the essence of Chan Dharma from Master Hengchuan Rugong of the Linji school. He initially resided at Yongfu Temple in Jiangxi and later became the abbot of Baoning Temple in Jiangsu. Gulin had a large number of disciples including Liao’an Qingyu and Zhuxian Fanxian, as well as Getsurin Dogo, the founder of Chofukuji Temple in Japan.
Gulin’s works, with dignified and powerful brush strokes, deeply influenced the calligraphic style of the Linji school. The spirit of Chan permeated between his lines of calligraphy, revealing his noble character and in-depth understanding of Buddhism. His extant works include Characters - Yuelin, kept at Chofukuji Temple in Japan and Farewell Verses for Betsugen Enshi, kept at the Gotoh Museum, also in Japan. Both works were listed as National Treasures of Japan.