Erfo Temple Rock Carvings: Sixth Patriarch

CHINA, Chongqing, Hechuan; Southern Song dynasty

This carving, situated on the east cliff, portrays Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of the Chan school, surrounded by several other figures. According to an inscription, the carving is based on two narratives from the Platform Sutra: “Huineng Hearing the Diamond Sutra” and “Huineng Writing a Verse.” It combines both scenes into a single illustration, portraying both Huineng’s joy after hearing the sutra, and the surprise of his fellow monks after reading the verse that Huineng wrote in response to a verse by another monk, Shenxiu. Huineng’s verse reads, “The Bodhi is fundamentally not a tree, and the bright mirror is not a stand. There is originally nothing, where would the dust land?”
The figures in the carving are aligned in two rows. In the upper row are two bearded figures flanked by four monks. In the center of the lower row is Huineng, depicted with a large belly and a robe with long, wide sleeves, flanked by a monk on each side. The two bearded figures smile, while the monks all have expressions of surprise. The postures and expressions of all the figures are different, making this an exceptional set of carvings.