Five-Character Quatrain

CHINA; Ming to Qing dynasty

This poem is composed of four verses, each containing five characters and following the traditional rules of tone pattern in classical Chinese poetry. The piece provides an account of daily insights in the life of Chan Master Dandang Puhe.
The calligraphy is written with thin strokes of cursive script. Contrasting characters appear throughout the work, varying between either large and small, or straight and slanted. There is palpable freedom in the brushwork, and yet continuity is preserved throughout the piece. Seemingly strategic spacing between each brushstroke allows room for interpretation.
Dandang Puhe had an original name of Tang Tai, and was also know as Da Lai. Puhe was his Dharma name, but he most often went by his pseudonym, Dandang. He was a monk of the Linji school during late Ming (1368–1644) to early Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, and was highly acclaimed for his skills in calligraphy, painting, and poetry.