Open Collections

Description

The Lion Roaring (Shizi hou, 獅子吼) is inscribed on the plaque (Image 01), which is hung on the top of the entrance of the Dharma Hall (法堂) of Manpukuji (萬福寺), an Ōbaku 黄檗 Zen head temple in Uji 宇治, Kyoto prefecture 京都府, Japan. In Buddhism, the lion roaring represents the striking power of the Buddha’s teaching. The plague was written by Fei Yin 費隱 (1593–1661), from Fujian 福建 Province, China. To the right and left sides of the gate of the Dharma Hall hung one couplet each (Image 02). On the right (Image 03), the couplet in green are inscribed: 棒喝交馳國師千古猶在 (Rapidly interflows of shouting with stick beats, the national teachers remain present). The shouts of the masters remind the disciples of the scene of Yinyuan Longqi's (Jp. Ingen Ryūki) 隠元隆琦 (1592-1673) teachings in the hall. On the left (Image 04), the couplet is inscribed: 象龍围繞靈山一會儼然 (Surrounded by elephants and dragons, the assembly in the Sacred Mountain appears is solmen). This verse utilizes the metaphoric images of elephants and dragons, which both indicate the extraordinary qualities of Buddhist disciples. Another metaphor utilized is Lingshan (The Sacred Mountain, 靈山) the synonym to Lingjiushan (The Holy Eagle Peak 靈鷲山), which was a favoured retreat spot by the Buddha. In addition, on the second couplet, the name of the author is indicated: 當山第六代住持千呆安題 (Inscribed by Qian Dai An, the 6th abbott of the present mountain). These plaque and couplets highlight the continuous connection between the Chinese and Japanese Ōbaku traditions. The cloister ceiling (tianjing 天井) of the Dharma Hall (法堂) is round in shape (Image 05), a Chinese design, instead of mountain/triangle shape in Japanese style. In Ōbaku tradition, the ceiling represents the abdomen of a dragon. Ceilings in this style can be seen in Chinese temples, which indicates its Chinese origin of Manpukuji.