Daruma and the Second Patriarch
by Otsuka Dogai (1891-1964)
Deep in the snow of Shorin [Temple]
Daruma faced the wall of his cave in total silence;
Eka sacrificed his arm to find the Dharma,
Never giving up his single minded determination. (signed) Water/Ram year [1943], at Mt. White Cloud By Monk Dogai
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This is a fine depiction of one of the most famous stories in Zen lore. (It is found in case 42 of the Mumonkan, and the painting of the scene by Sesshu is world renown.) Eka was a dedicated Buddhist monk who trained under many of the senior teachers in China but he remained unsatisfied. During a vision, he was told to go south to find a true master. When he found Bodhidharma meditating in his cave at Shorin, Eka asked the Zen master for guidance but was rudely turned away. It was winter, and Eka stood in the snow all night outside his cave. Finally, he severed his arm and presented it to Bodhidharma (who was impressed enough to grant Eka an audience). "Please pacify my mond, oh Master," Eka pleaded. "Bring me your mind and I will pacify it for you." The Master said. "I have searched and searched, and I cannot take hold of it." Eka replied. "See" the old master told him, "I have already pacified it for you." Despite the grim nature of the scene, Bodhidharma was telling a cosmic joke, and thereafter Zen masters have often resorted to humor to enlighten their students. Bodhidharma went on to designate Eka as his successor, and thus Eka became known as the "Second Patriarch."
About the Artist
Otsuka Dogai was abbot of Doun-in, a Soto Zen temple in Aichi Prefecture. He was quite talented with a brush, and wrote a manual on how to create Zen art.
SCROLL DETAILS
- Price: $750
- Scroll Notes: Original simple paper mounting, good condition, no box. Expertly painted, a good example of zenga as fine art.
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Dimensions (inches): 19.00" (width) x 44.00" (height)
- Purchase Reference Number: 1965
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