Poem on Lingyan Temple in running script

Object Details

• Artist

  Hongli, the Qianlong emperor 乾隆帝 (1711-1799)

• Description

  Poem on Lingyan Temple written in six columns of running script, in an eight-line regulated verse in 7-character lines.

• Signatures

  Signature: Yu bi 御筆 (written by the Emperor)

• Marks

  Seal: Qianlong yubi zhi bao『乾隆御筆之寶』 (square relief)

• Inscriptions

  Text: 6 columns; running script

  8-line regulated verse in 7-character lines

  煙霞朝暮傳心印，泉石古今愜性靈，不二殿旁法松鬱，成雙門外剎竿亭。

  風來薝角虛鈴語，春入山根新水渟，此是色空無著處，作麼更覓梵王形。

  靈巖寺再疊前韻，御筆。

  Day and night, rosy mists and vapors transmit the heart's seal;

  Past to present, springs and stones have cheered the innate mind.

  Beside the chapel of non-duality, the dharma pines are dense,

  Outside the gates that form a pair, the banner pole stands tall.

  As wind rounds the corners of the eaves, the empty bells speak;

  As springtime pierces mountain roots, new pools of water appear.

  This is the place of non-attachment where all substance is void,

  Why then continue to seek the physical form of Lord Brahma?

  At Lingyan Temple, re-using the previous rhymes a second time, written by the Emperor.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Looking Out, Looking In: Art in Late Imperial China (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Writing, Carving and Rubbing: China’s Calligraphic Arts (April 4 to October 25, 2009)

  America Meets Asia at the Freer Gallery of Art (May 9, 1993 to August 8, 1994)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Gift of Mrs. John Alexander Pope

• Type

  Calligraphy

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1790s, 1760s

• Name

  Hongli

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Art, Chinese Art, Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), Poetry, Running script

• Culture

  Buddhists, Chinese

• Object Type

  Calligraphy (visual works)