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Reading a Sutra by Moonlight

17th century, after 1661
Not on view
Facing away from the viewer, a monk sits deeply absorbed in reading the sutra he holds in his hands. At left, the fluid and elongated cursive calligraphy of the Chinese Ōbaku Zen monk Jifei Ruyi suggests that the wisdom the monk seeks in the sutra resides elsewhere. This rejection of reliance on scripture is one of the principles of Zen Buddhism. The inscription reads:

月白紙一色　眼与墨俱黑
妙義个中圓　了亦不可得

Moon and white paper are of one color.
The pupil of the eye and the ink
are both black.
The marvelous meaning,
lodged in the circle,
Is beyond comprehension.
—Trans. Jonathan Chaves

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 即非如一筆　対月図
  • Title: Reading a Sutra by Moonlight
  • Artist: Jifei Ruyi (Sokuhi Nyoitsu) (Chinese, 1616–1671)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 17th century, after 1661
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 10 13/16 x 23 7/8 in. (27.5 x 60.6 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 44 1/4 × 24 5/8 in. (112.4 × 62.5 cm)
    Overall with knobs: 44 1/4 × 26 3/4 in. (112.4 × 68 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.268.79
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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