Vimalakirti and the Doctrine of Nonduality
This handscroll depicts an episode from the Vimalakirti Sutra, the Buddhist scripture in which Vimalakirti, a layman, and Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, engage in a theological debate. According to the sutra, Vimalakirti proved the more subtle by remaining silent when asked to explain the ultimate meaning of the Buddhist Law. The subject appealed to China's Confucian elite, for it demonstrated how a cultured layman could surpass even a deity in his understanding of doctrine.
The scroll is a rare example of a preparatory draft, submitted for the approval of the future Emperor Renzong (r. 1311–20) before a final version in color was executed.
The scroll is a rare example of a preparatory draft, submitted for the approval of the future Emperor Renzong (r. 1311–20) before a final version in color was executed.
Artwork Details
- 元 王振鵬 維摩不二圖 卷
- Title: Vimalakirti and the Doctrine of Nonduality
- Artist: Wang Zhenpeng (Chinese, active ca. 1275–1330)
- Period: Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)
- Date: dated 1308
- Culture: China
- Medium: Handscroll; ink on silk
- Dimensions: Image: 15 7/16 x 85 15/16 in. (39.2 x 218.3 cm)
Overall with mounting: 15 13/16 in. x 29 ft. 4 5/8 in. (40.2 x 895.7 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, The Dillon Fund Gift, 1980
- Object Number: 1980.276
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
Audio
7361. Vimalakirti and the Doctrine of Nonduality
0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Wang Zhenpeng
early 15th century
Wang Zhenpeng
14th century (?)
China
ca. 1319
Guo Xi
ca. 1080
Emperor Huizong
early 12th century
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Showing 4 of 8
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.