2-740-267 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Shakyamuni Emerging from the Mountains, 1244. Shakyamuni emerged from the mountains after years of ascetic practices, which anticipated his sermon in the Deer Park and attainment of enlightenment under the bodhi tree. However, this figure of Shakyamuni can be interpreted as having already achieved enlightenment and re-entered the sentient world to spread the dharma. Chijue Daoching’s inscription mentions his indifferent glance at the morning star, suggesting nonattachment: Entering the mountains he was much too thin and withered. The snow is overlaid with frost—it is cold. Casting an indifferent glance, he saw a [morning] star. Why should he once again emerge among the world of men.