Lotus Flower Hall signboard, 乙華發 Ikka Hatsu; 独湛性瑩 Ōbaku Dokutan, Dokutan Shōkei

In 1654 the Chinese monk Dokutan (Chinese: Duchan) accompanied his teacher Ingen on a great journey to Japan where they established the Obaku Zen sect. To adherents of traditional Japanese Zen, one of the most controversial features of the Obaku sect was its admixture of other Buddhist elements, particularly Pure Land practices. Dokutan was especially famous for his use of the chant Namu Amida Butsu (Homage to Infinite Light), which is used in devotional practice to Amida Buddha (on view in this gallery). Later in life, Dokutan opened the temple Ho¯fuku-ji 宝福寺 in Osaka. Following Obaku practice, he prepared large-scale calligraphy to be carved on wooden plaques for the temple. This calligraphy is characteristic of the Obaku style: broad, massive, and fluent.

Exhibition Label: "Nature/Natural," Feb-2011, Kris Ercums In 1654 the Chinese monk Dokutan (Chinese: Duchan) accompanied his teacher Ingen on a great journey to Japan where they established the Obaku Zen sect. To adherents of traditional Japanese Zen, one of the most controversial features of the Obaku sect was its admixture of other Buddhist elements, particularly Pure Land practices. Dokutan was especially famous for his use of the chant Namu Amida Butsu (Homage to Infinite Light), which is used in devotional practice to Amida Buddha (on view in this gallery). Later in life, Dokutan opened the temple Ho¯fuku-ji 宝福寺 in Osaka. Following Obaku practice, he prepared large-scale calligraphy to be carved on wooden plaques for the temple. This calligraphy is characteristic of the Obaku style: broad, massive, and fluent. Archive Label date unknown: Obaku is a sub-sect of Zen Buddhism that originated in China. At the fall of China's Ming dynasty in 1644, many Obaku monks fled to escape persecution. Obaku Dokutan, who was born in Fukien province in southern China, was one of the monks who emigrated to Japan. One of the outstanding features of Obaku Zen temples is the use of large calligraphic signboards over the entrances of the temple buildings. The calligraphy for this one was written by the priest Dokutan and then carved by another craftsman into the wood. The panel once identified one of the buildings at the temple Hofuku-ji, which was founded by Dokutan in Osaka. The photograph below demonstrates the placement of a calligraphy panel at Mampukuji, the main temple of the Obaku sect in Japan.