Welcome to Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art,

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2020, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (2): 1-8.

• Chinese Literary Critical Discourse •     Next Articles

An Interpretation of Painting for Preservation of Life from the Perspective of Aesthetic Life-Rearing

Zeng Fanren, Huang Ruoyu   

  1. the Center for Literary Theory and Aesthetics, Shandong University
  • Online:2020-03-25 Published:2020-04-26
  • About author:Zeng Fanren is a professor at the Center for Literary Theory and Aesthetics, Shandong University. His research interests include literary theory and ecological aesthetics. Huang Ruoyu is a Ph. D. candidate at the Center for Literary Theory and Aesthetics, Shandong University. His research interest is ecological aesthetics.
  • Supported by:
    the Major Project of National Social Sciences Fund (16ZDA111)

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Abstract: The aesthetic life-rearing lies at the heart of various forms of Chinese Buddhist art, and is also reflected in Feng Zikai's Paintings for the Preservation of Life collaborated with Master Hongyi (Li Shutong). Upon the request of Master Hongyi, Feng drew 450 pictures during a course of forty-six years, finished with poems and essays by noted calligraphers including Master Hongyi. The collaboration aims to spread the Buddhist purity of mind and compassion to beings, illustrating the doctrine that preservation of life preserves mind, and becomes an unprecedented Buddhist masterpiece. Buddhist concepts such as pure mind, compassion, benevolence, agape for beings, and non-killing are conveyed in the artwork.

Key words: Painting for the Preservation of Life, aesthetic life-rearing, preservation of life preserves mind, pure mind, ahimsa (non-killing)