Master Yuan Lin (1915-2008)

[Shi Da Dao]

(This is an English translation of the relatively short Chinese text entitled ‘Yuan Lin Fa Shi'. Dharma master Yuan Lin studied calligraphy under the master Hong Yi (1879-1942), and received instruction from the contemporary painting master Huang Bin Hong (1865-1955). He was also personal friends with contemporary calligraphy master Lin San Zhi (1898-1989). His masterful artwork and calligraphy were known to master Xu Yun. Master Yuan Lin was the abbot of the Dou Lu (Tusita) Temple in Nanjing, a temple built in beautiful surroundings and dating to the Ming Dynasty. When he died in 2008, people reported seeing an apparition of Amitahba Buddha and a bright light in the sky.)

Master Yuan Lin was a mountain monk also known as the recluse ‘Da Xiong’. His common name was Du Zhen Shan, and he was from Su County, Anhui province. He put on the Buddhist monk’s robe under master Xi, who shaved his head. This happened in the Jiang Pu Lion’s Mountain Range (Jiang Pu Shi Zi Ling) area of Nanjing. He chose to live in the seclusion of the mountains all year round. As a child he was intelligent and became skilled in calligraphy, painting, and sculpture, and presented master Xu Yun with a gift of a free-hand painting. He studied calligraphy under the vinaya master Hong Yi, and received instruction from the famous scholar and artist Huang Bin Hong. He was also a very good friend with the contemporary calligraphy master Lin San Zhi. Master Yuan Lin’s painting of landscapes, figures, and flowers were second to none, and his calligraphy was masterful. He always preferred to paint in the Buddhist style known as the ‘Four Monks’ (Si Seng) – a style founded early in the Qing Dynasty. This 300 year old tradition experienced a resurgence due to the mastery of Yuan Lin’s work. Before his death, master Yuan Lin was appointed Honorary President of the Nanjing Buddhist Association, and presided over the running of the Dou Lu Temple (Dou Lu Si) of the Jiang Pu Shi Zi Ling area of Nanjing. He is recognised as an outstanding master of calligraphy and painting, and is considered the first eminent monk to be associated with Jinling (another name for ‘Nanjing’).








©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2013.