Shakyamuni Emerging from the Mountains
Unknown Artist
1244
Medium
hanging scroll, ink on paper
Dimensions
166.4 × 45.3 cm · painting: 70.7 × 30.3 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
John L. Severance Fund
Accession Number
1970.2
About this artwork
Shakyamuni emerged from the mountains after years of ascetic practices, which anticipated his sermon in Deer Park and attainment of enlightenment under the bodhi tree. However, this figure of Shakyamuni can be interpreted as having already achieved enlightenment and reentered the earthly world to spread the dharma (Buddhist law). Chijue Daoching’s inscription mentions his indifferent glance at the morning star, suggesting nonattachment: Entering the mountains he was much too thin and withered. T...