Liao’an Qingyu

CHINA, Zhejiang, Taizhou; Yuan dynasty

Originally named Zhu and also known as Nantang, Liao’an Qingyu was a Chan master and calligrapher from Linhai, Taizhou. He received Dharma teachings from Chan Master Guling Qingmao along with Zuxian Fanqian and Japanese monks, Geturindoko and Sekishitsu Zenkyu. He stayed at various temples including Kaiyuan Temple in Jiangsu, Baoning Temple in Jiangsu, and Benjue Temple in Zhejiang. Master Liao’an was regarded as the Master of the Southeast and was granted by the emperor, a gold monastic robe and the honorable title Chan Master Ciyun Puji.
His notable calligraphic works include Teaching on Enlightenment and Dialogue with Geturindoko, the latter of which is now an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is currently kept at the Gotoh Museum in Tokyo, Japan. Teaching on Enlightenment, written in running script and representative of the calligraphic style during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), is listed as a National Treasure of Japan and is kept at the Tokyo National Museum in Japan. He also authored the book Analects of Chan Master Liao’an Qingyu.