Todaiji Temple: Master Jingying Huiyuan

JAPAN, Nara; Kamakura period

Painted in the 13th century, this is one of the 18 portraits of the patriarchs of the Three Treatise school kept in the monastic quarters of Todaiji Temple. It was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1959.
Master Jingying was born in Dunhuang, China and lived during the Northern Zhou (557–581) and Sui (581–618) dynasties. He renounced under the monk Sengsi at the age of 13, taking the name Huiyan. Since he lived in Jingying Temple in Xi’an, Shaanxi, he was referred to as Jingying Huiyuan to distinguish him from Lushan Huiyuan. Master Jingying Huiyuan and Jiaxiang are recognized as the founders of the Three Treatise school.
Jingying Huiyuan has a large head, thick eyebrows, and full cheeks. He stands partially turned to one side with his hands hidden beneath a brown cloth. A red outer robe is draped over the left shoulder, partially covering the patched monastic robe. The picture is painted with fine lines and bright colors. Jingying Huiyuan’s facial features are particularly detailed.