Calligraphy of the Character "Son"(Respect)"

Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) was a Rinzai Zen monk of the mid-Edo period. He was born in Suruga Province. After visiting many countries, he was proud of his great enlightenment, but Dōkyō Etan of the Shōjuan Temple in Īyama, Shinano, recognized his arrogance, and he devoted himself to intense practice, finally attaining great enlightenment. In Kyōhō 2 (1717), he succeeded to Shōinji Temple in Suruga, and the following year he became the Shuso (a head trainee in a Zen monastery) of Myōshinji Temple. After that, he never rose in the world, but traveled around the country and devoted himself to the teaching of the Taoist religion. In later years, a waka poem was composed in which Mt. Fuji and Hakuin were equally admired in Suruga. In Hōreki 8 (1758), he opened Ryūtakuji Temple in Mishima, Izu, and in his later years, he traveled back and forth between Shōinji and Ryūtakuji Temple.

He produced many outstanding disciples, and his Dharma lineage developed greatly. The majority of the Rinzai school of Zen since then has been based on Hakuin's Dharma lineage, and he is praised as the founder of the Rinzai sect’s revival.

In addition to “Hakuin Zenji Goroku,” Hakuin wrote many books, including “Yasen kanna,” “Orategama,” and other Kana-hōgo that contributed to popular indoctrination. Hakuin also excelled in calligraphy and painting, and many of his works have been included in the Zen Bokuseki (Calligraphy) of the early modern period. His calligraphy is characterized by his technique of writing in thin ink. He used these calligraphies and paintings to teach the people in a simple manner. From his fifties onward, he left behind a unique style of painting that symbolically expresses his Zen style. Hakuin’s works are still loved by many people today.

In this Bokuseki, “Son(Respect)” is written in large letters and a phrase based on the “Gyōji” scroll of “Shōbōgenzō” by Dōgen is written. It is evident that the doctrines of Sōtō Zen had penetrated into the Rinzai monks as well. “Gyō” means practice, and “Ji” means to protect and sustain.