Zhong Kui is depicted in this painting holding an evil-warding ceremonial scepter (ruyi) in hand, and a small ghoul is seen presenting him with an auspicious peach. Zhong Kui shows true wisdom by remaining still like a mountain. The material environment on which a person depends is dictated by conditioned genesis and cessation, and this is true for mortal beings, including a person’s “retribution body”, which is ultimately empty. Only karma is not empty. Those that carry out benevolent deeds will receive countless blessings in return, and those that are virtuous are genuinely blessed with infinite life. The “Threefold Wheel of Essential Emptiness” emphasizes that all Dharmas are empty of characteristics and are not defiled, not pure, not produced, and not destroyed, and only through which would Buddha of infinite life be attained. Though doing benevolent deeds would naturally bring a person more blessing and a longer life, but an end will eventually come when compensation is sought after. Only though genuine and unconditional benevolence that is given back to all mortal beings in a boundless and limitless way would one reach the state of true Buddha, which does not produce or destroy.
简中｜如意钟馗
Paintings
Xia Jing Shan
ink and color on paper
64.5x130cm
2011
題跋：萬有萬物都是緣生緣滅 最終一場空 唯有因果報應它不空 善有萬福 德有無量壽 善德的源頭是真心 真心就是不垢不淨不生不滅的真佛 八十八叟夏荊山
印記：禪樂、明心見性見性成佛、萬法心生、夏氏荊山、楠竹居士、荊山藏畫
CH-00588
