Chan Encounter - Master Zhichang and Li Bo

CHINA; Yuan dynasty

Once part of a long scroll that was later cut into individual pieces, this picture was listed as a National Treasure of Japan in 1956. The scene is based on the story of Chan Master Zhichang and the official Li Bo recorded in Transmission of the Lamp. Li Bo, nicknamed “Ten Thousand Fascicles” for his vast knowledge of scripture and literature, became confused by a passage in a Buddhist sutra stating that “Mount Sumeru hides a mustard seed, a mustard seed contains Mount Sumeru.” He went to Master Zhichang and asked for an explanation. The master replied by asking, “If Mount Sumeru cannot fit inside a mustard seed, how can ten thousand volumes of words fit inside your head?”
Li Bo, wearing an official’s hat and holding a baton, stands on the right, bowing before the master. Zhichang sits under a pine tree laughing. He points back at Li Bo, appearing to answer his question. Sutra cases and a vase rest on a rock beside him. Sparse ink lines of varying shades and thicknesses convey feelings of spontaneity and liveliness. The faces of the figures, done with thin strokes of light ink, are simple yet expressive. There is an inscription by Chan Master Chushi Fanqi on the far right.