Zhuanyu

CHINA, Zhejiang, Hangzhou; Qing dynasty

Zhuanyu was a Chan monk and artist from Renhe (present day Hangzhou, Zhejiang). His original family name was Wan, and he was also known as Rangshan. Zhuanyu renounced at the age of 17 at Jingci Temple in Zhejiang and studied Chan Buddhism under Master Leiyan, becoming the 35th lineage holder of the Linji school. He was highly knowledgeable on monastic discipline and Buddhist sutras. Initially staying at Guanxin Temple in Beijing, he later moved to Dashan Temple and then Longxiang Temple in Zhejiang. Zhuanyu’s written works include Quotes of Rangshan and Collection of Casual Words.
He was a skilled musician of the guqin and excelled in cursive and running script calligraphy, poetry, painting, and seal engraving. Alongside monk Mingzhong of Jingci Temple and renowned seal artist Din Jing, Zhuanyu formed the Poet Society of West Lake to study the various arts. His seal, I Am Calm like a Mirror, demonstrates the spirit of Chan.