Atelier — Complimentary worldwide shipping — Delivery 2–6 weeks
      Preview AR preview Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image Send
      Details Guide Add to favorites Download Similars X-Ray Diaporama Q&A Stats

      Bodhidarma under Pine Tree

      Dimensions
      101.0 x 51.0cm

      A Zen master and pioneer of Gozan Bungaku literature. Discover the profound legacy of this influential Buddhist monk.

      Giclée / Art Print

      Museum-quality giclée or canvas print with fast production and flexible finish options. ( Buy Hand Made Painting Switch to Digital Image)

      Standard
      custom
      CM
      INCH

      Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

      width
      height

      Type the width and the height you need, to fit your frame or your wall. A print can only be cut, never made bigger than the picture, so a size with a different shape loses a part of the image. We send you a digital mockup to approve before we print anything. The picture shown on this page does not show the real cut — only the mockup does.

      Worldwide Delivery () in 2 weeks instead of standard 4/5 weeks. (15 November)

      Free Worldwide Express Shipping
      High-Quality Linen Canvas
      Full Shipping Insurance
      Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
      True Color Matching Guarantee
      100-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
      100% Money-Back Guarantee
      Bulk Discount Offer

      Total Price

      $ 70

      Bodhidarma under Pine Tree

      Giclée / Art Print

      Reproduction Size

      -

      Total Price

      $ 70


      Artist Biography

      Early Life and Buddhist Training

      Born in 1247 in Linhai, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China, Yishan Yining begins his life under the family name Hu. He enters a monastery as a boy, beginning a rigorous period of study into various Buddhist doctrines. His early path follows the Tiantai school, but this focus shifts as he turns toward Chan Buddhism. This transition marks a fundamental change in his spiritual direction.

      The training intensifies through a series of tutors. Eventually, Yishan Yining becomes the Dharma heir of Wanji Singmi, who was the fourth lineage holder of Mi'an Xianji. This lineage connects him to a deep tradition of Zen practice. His growing reputation leads him to the Island of Putuoshan, where he serves as the abbot of Puji Monastery.

      Mission to and Life in Japan

      In 1299, the Yuan government dispatches Yishan Yining to Japan on a diplomatic mission to restore relations with the Bakufu government. The arrival in Kamakura brings immediate tension. The regent Hojo Sadatoki arrests him on charges of spying. This period of detention ends when Sadatoki comes to respect the monk, granting him his freedom. Once released, Yishan Yining integrates into the religious landscape of the Kamakura period, serving within the walls of Kenchō-ji, Engaku-ji, and Jochi-ji.

      The focus shifts from Kamakura to the imperial capital. In 1313, the resigned emperor Go-Uda extends an invitation to Kyoto. The request is for Yishan Yining to take the position of abbot at Nanzen-ji, the most influential Zen center of the era. He accepts, moving into the heart of Japanese Zen administration.

      Legacy and Literary Influence

      Yishan Yining functions as a bridge between the Song dynasty aesthetics of China and the developing culture of Kamakura-period Japan. He does not merely teach Zen; he reshapes the intellectual landscape by introducing the literary forms of the Song to the Japanese monastic community. This movement establishes the foundation for Gozan Bungaku, a distinct literary tradition centered within the Five Mountains temple system. Through his mastery of diverse genres, from the precision of historiography to the fluidity of poetry, he shifts the focus of Japanese monkhood toward a sophisticated literary orientation.

      His influence extends deep into the social hierarchy of Japan. He finds a receptive audience among the new militarized nobility, embedding Zen principles within the warrior class. This cultural exchange transforms the monasteries into centers of high learning and artistic production. His teaching reaches beyond the temple walls, shaping the minds of influential figures who will define the next era of Japanese Zen. Among his most significant disciples are Muso Soseki, Sesson Yubai, and Kokan Shiren.

      Later Years and Death

      By 1306, a physical decline begins to shadow his final years as Yishan Yining suffers from a persistent eye ailment. Despite this affliction, his influence within the religious and political spheres of Japan remains potent. In the tenth month of 1317, even while seventy years old and facing severe illness, he leads a procession to Nanzen-ji Temple. He is accompanied by the ex-Emperor Go-Uda, a fervent admirer who remains by his side during these final months.

      The end comes shortly after the imperial visit. Yishan Yining dies on 28 November 1317 at Nanzen-ji Temple. In recognition of his profound impact on the spiritual landscape of the country, the Japanese Imperial Court grants him the posthumous title of the Teacher of State, known as Kokushi.

      Yishan Yining

      Yishan Yining

      1247 - 1317 , People's Republic of China

      Quick Facts

      • Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
        • Sesson Yubai
        • Muso Soseki
        • Gozan Bungaku
      • Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Wanji Singmi']
      • Full Name: Yishan Yining
      • Nationality: Chinese
      • Place Of Birth: Linhai, People's Republic of China
      • Date Of Birth: 1247
      • Date Of Death: 1317
      Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.