Understanding Patriarch Chan Through Meditation

CHINA; Qing dynasty

Patriarch Chan is also known as the Southern school of Chan Buddhism and is based on the teachings introduced and transmitted by Bodhidharma, the First Patriarch of the Chan school, as received by the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng. It advocates less reliance on studying the sutras and doctrines of Buddhism, and instead emphasizes the transmission of teachings directly from the master to his disciples. Insights on Chan discourse were passed on from one successor to another and thus it is regarded as Patriarch Chan. This hexagonal-shaped seal consists of eight characters arranged in a symmetrical layout and distributed among three columns. There are four characters stacked in the middle, with two on either side. The unusual shape of the seal is complemented by the unique and well-executed seal script, resulting in a balanced and intriguing work of seal art.