In
this soaring wood sculpture, thoroughly merged with the natural form of a tree
root, half hidden by his rustic cloak, is Bodhidharma, the Indian sage who brought
Buddhism to China. Upon his arrival there he was granted an interview with the
emperor, after which he retired into silent meditation for nine years, then departed
the country. His emphasis on meditation and his example of devotedness was revered
and emulated in China. He is also credited as the Patriarch of Buddhism in Japan
that came to be known as Zen. Thus he is also known as Daruma, the wish-fulfilling
deity in Japan. He is usually seen either seated in meditation or standing with
his staff as in this carving, where the gnarled wood still sends shoots downward
toward its earthy beginnings. Tied to one of these tendrils is a gourd, on which
a lotus is carved, symbolizing the limitless consciousness of Buddhahood which
protects from all harm. Beside Bodhidharma is a tree stump upon which is placed
a bowl of magical elixir erupting in spiraling clouds upon which are two bats
with wings outspread, an extremely auspicious symbol, emblematic of happiness
and longevity.
This
carving is made of a naturally dark and extremely dense root wood. The irregularities
and knots have been left in place, accentuating the rustic mood. All forms which
have been carved into the wood are admirably done; however the remarkable face
of Bodhidharma is the center and the highlight of this work.
As
in many representations of Bodhidharma, the eyes look out intensely in a wide
stare. One story about Bodhidharma recounts that he cut off his eyelids to avoid
falling asleep when he was meditating; on the spot of earth where the eyelids
fell, the first tea plant sprung up. The hair of the eyebrows and beard have been
superbly and summarily accomplished , directly and without fussiness, the beard
radiating in a bristly riverine flow, the prominent western features gathered
into an _expression of irreversible determination.