Calligraphy by Jitsuden Docho Accompanied by an Unknown Painting by Sokuhi Nyoitsu

[Iaido dude]

With great research assistance from Hiro.

 

Jitsuden Docho (実傳道釣) is known to have been a disciple of Mokuan Shoto (木庵性瑫 1611-1684) through a lineage database maintained by the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts and from among a list of 250 Ōbaku-related ink works donated to Komazawa University by Mr. Mochizuk (i望月氏). There is scant additional biographical information. The inscription of the current work reads:

 

繙經參月心 (fān jīng, cān yuè xīn)

Translating/reading the scriptures, contemplating the moon-like mind (literal meaning)
Turning the pages of the sutras, I contemplate the mind that is like the moon (poetic meaning)

 

 

What is intriguing about the current work is that the painting is nearly identical to a treasure in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art by Sokuhi Nyoitsu (another student of Mokuan) called "Reading a Sutra by Moonlight." The inscription in the latter suggests that enlightenment is not to be found in scripture such sutra (e.g. "words and letters"). This rejection of reliance on scripture is one of the principles of Zen Buddhism and attributed directly to the semi-lengendary Bodhidharma himself.

Although not quite as crisp and precise as the version in The MET, it seems possible that the accompanying painting, which appears to be cut off at the bottom, is also by Sokuhi Nyoitsu, and that the signature and seals have simply been lost. Jitsuden and Sukohi were contemporaries in a small community of early Obaku monks who would have had many opportunities to meet and to interact or collaborate regularly. However, it may be that Jitsuden is suggesting that study of scripture can be a tool for achieving direct insight and awakening, much like koan study is used in Rinzai Zen practice for this purpose. If true, it would be a departure from traditional Zen belief and understanding. Would Sukohi have contributed the painting if this were the case? Perhaps this work is a deeper exploration of the role of study in facilitating the direct experience of kensho or satori. Exegesis of the two phrases of the inscription supports this hypothesis:

繙經 (fān jīng) — Engaging with sacred texts (specifically Sanskrit), but not merely intellectual study; "turning over" implies intimate, repeated handling, suggesting devotion or deep familiarity.

參月心 (cān yuè xīn) — In Ch'an/Zen Buddhism, "contemplating the moon" often refers to looking beyond words to direct insight. The famous metaphor says: the finger pointing at the moon is not the moon itself — teachings (sutras) are the finger; the enlightened mind is the moon. Here, cān yuè xīn suggests using scripture to investigate one's own original, luminous, and still nature — "mind-as-moon."

 

 

 

The inspiration for the theme of "Reading a Sutra by Moonlight" may come from works such as this one with inscription by Yuxi Simin 玉谿思珉 (d. 1337). The painter is unknown. Prior to acquiring the present work, I have never seen another depiction of this theme except for a clear fake:

 

 
 

In this one volume of sutra,
The words have no clear meaning.
The sun rises, the moon sets,
When will I finish reading it?
Inscribed by Simin of the Baofu [Temple]. [Seal]: Yuxi

只這一卷經，字字無分曉。
日出月又落，幾時看得了。
保福思珉讚。 [印]：玉谿

 

 

Edited May 3 by Iaido dude