Fo Guang Shan Monastery: Seven-Character Couplet

TAIWAN, Kaohsiung

Master Hsing Yun at the age of 84 suffered from failing vision. He had to write by mentally visualizing his works since he was unable to see clearly. Every piece is completed in one continuous movement, and he refers to his work as “One-stroke Calligraphy.” Written by Master Hsing Yun when he was 86 years old, this couplet was extracted from Fascicle 18 of the Chan writings, Comprehensive Record of the Transmission of the Lamp from the Jiatai Period. It suggests that all sentient beings are born with innate Buddha nature, which can be revealed by removing the veil of ignorance that obscures it. Each piece of this couplet is 137 cm long by 35.5 cm wide, and together, they form part of the One-Stroke Calligraphy collection. Master Hsing Yun started writing calligraphy in the 1980s, giving them as gifts as a way of establishing good relations with others.
The strokes are bold, strong, and well maneuvered. Attention is placed on the overall form instead of minute articulations. A clear sense of confidence is observed in the script, which assumes not only the appearance of stele characters, but also a fuss-free and unrestrained bearing. The short strokes and sharp turns in the second line, demonstrate the calligrapher’s robust use of force. This energetic linking of characters complements the subdued preceding line, and together they form a harmonious couplet pair.
Master Hsing Yun is also known as Jinjue, or by his Dharma name, Wuche. He is the 48th lineage-holder of the Linji school of Chan Buddhism, and the founder of Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. He continues to contribute significantly to the development and promotion of Buddhist cultural arts, education, charity, and cultivation.