I want to thank my friend for giving us this precious gift, Tanaka Ryohei 田中良平 Etching of Manpukuji from the Petrie Rogers Asian Fine Art and Antiques in Tucson. It now hangs in my study. It is no. 11 out of 150. Three years ago, I posted a short introduction to this piece of art about Manpukuji. Click here for details.
This etching is featured in the banner of his homepage here. I don't know how much it is worth. But you can ask through this website.
Do you know there is a brand of watches named after Obaku? The business idea was inspired by the ideal of Obaku Zen and the watches reflect the simplistic Zen spirit. I bought one and it looks great. Check out here.
"ZEN PHILOSOPHY
Obaku takes its name from a branch of the Zen philosophy that was founded in 1661 at the foot of Mount Obaku.
Obaku Zen focuses on incorporating a total balance in body and mind. It is a way of being – simply a state of mind. Obaku Zen tries to see things without distortion and to concentrate on the essentials created by your own thoughts and nature. In Asia the Zen philosophy has molded a set of basic values that pay tribute to simplicity and the search for the essence in life. It values the truth and calmness.
The idea that there should be a sense of calmness and balance in the items we consume to adorn ourselves, is what gave birth to Obaku. In Asia, Zen philosophies have given rise to natural simplicity – in both thoughts and act.
The Obaku logo is inspired by the Zen calligraphic circle of life, also known as the Enso, which in Japanese means ‘circle’. It symbolizes strength, elegance, and is an expression of the moment. The calligraphic Enso refers to a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body and spirit create." quoted from https://www.obaku.com/obakustory
It is amazing that Japanese monks in today's Manpukuji 萬福寺 in Uji 宇治 still chant liturgy in Chinese pronunciation. I recommend this short video to study the liturgical tradition Yinyuan Longqi 隱元隆琦 brought to Japan. Pay attention to 5:00'' and see how a monk chanted “謹白大眾, 生死事大，無常迅速，各宜醒覺，慎勿放逸。” in recognizable Chinese. It is clear that today's Chinese monastic liturgy originated from the seventeenth century.
I had a great opportunity to visit Zhuxi Temple 竹溪寺 in Fuqing 福清 on Nov. 24, 2019. Legend says that the great Song Neo-Confucian scholar Lin Xiyi 林希逸 used to study here. One of Lin Xiyi's descendants in the Ming dynasty became a monk and acquired the dharma name of Jifei Ruyi 即非如一under Yinyuan Longqi 隱元隆琦. He died in Japan.
During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 19, 2019, I visited Shizhu Daoist Temple 石竹道院 (Stone Bamboo) located in Mount Shizhu where Master Yinyuan stayed before. Lion Cliff (Shiziyan 獅子岩) where Master Yinyuan stayed as a recluse was in its vicinity. However, I did not have time to climb and hike to the place. There used to be Buddhist sites nearby. But right now it is a famous Daoist site nationwide for its dream culture because auspicious dreams are going to happen to visitors. The local legend of Nine Immortals of the He Family 何氏九仙 also originated here and spread in Fujian and Taiwan. When he was young, Master Yinyuan had a good dream here which predicted that he would be ordained as a monk soon. This episode has been recorded in his chronological biography and discussed in my book Leaving for the Rising Sun. In his poems, Master Yinyuan made many references to the Daoist culture on Mount Shizhu such as the reference to Ziyun Cave 紫雲洞. Evidence shows he was deeply influenced by local Daoist cultures such as dream prognostication and spirit writing 扶乩. Chinese President Xi Jinping 習近平 also visited here when he was a local official in a nearby county many years ago. An old Daoist monk said Xi had a dream and consulted him. This is the origin of the slogan "Chinese Dream" 中國夢 which Xi promoted later.
During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 19, 2019, I visited Master Yinyuan's Lin Family Lineage Branch Shrine 林氏支祠 located in Donglin Village 東林村 where he was born. I was told Yinyuan's family house was located next to the shrine building to the right but has been replaced with another building now. The Lineage Shrine located in Qianzhai Village is the main shrine from which this branch was established.
During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 18, 2019, I visited Yinyuan's Lin Family Lineage Shrine located in Qianzhai Village 前宅村. It is not far away from his ancestor's tombs. The facade of the building remains its Qing dyansty still while the interior has been remodeled in modern auditorium style.
During my visit to Fuqing on Nov. 18, 2019, I visited Master Yinyuan's two ancestors' tombs located in Qianzhai Village 前宅村. According to locals, these two ancestors are the second and third generations in the Ming dynasty. They remain intact but need better care.
Inscription Wall of Essentials of Mind Transmission by Huangbo Xiyun, photo by Jiang Wu
I did some field work in Wanfu Monastery in Fuqing in 2001. Because the temple is in the process of rebuilding and the older structure may not be preserved, I posted the sixth batch of a few pictures I took almost twenty years ago.
Entrance of Huangbo Monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
Inscription Wall of Essentials of Mind Transmission by Huangbo Xiyun, photo by Jiang Wu
A corner of dining hall at Huangbo monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
Donation plate at Huangbo Monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
I did some field work in Wanfu Monastery in Fuqing in 2001. Because the temple is in the process of rebuilding and the older structure may not be preserved, I posted the fifth batch of a few pictures I took almost twenty years ago.
Rebuilding inscription in 1993, photo by Jiang Wu
Entrance pathway at Huangbo Monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
Overview of the Temple Entrance of Huangbo Monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
I did some field work in Wanfu Monastery in Fuqing in 2001. Because the temple is in the process of rebuilding and the older structure may not be preserved, I posted the fourth batch of a few pictures I took almost twenty years ago.
Sakyamuni Hall at Huangbo Monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
Courtyard of Sakyamuni Hall at Huangbo Monastery with Yinyuan Memorial Hall at the background, photo by Jiang Wu
Sakyamuni Hall at Huangbo monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
Entrance pathway at Huangbo Monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
Guanyin Statue at Huangbo Monastery, photo by Jiang Wu
I did some field work in Wanfu Monastery in Fuqing in 2000. Because the temple is in the process of rebuilding and the older structure may not be preserved, I posted the second batch of a few pictures I took almost twenty years ago.
