Buddhist bamboo altar with poem, Qing dynasty, 19th-20th century

Bamboo carved in the shape of a Buddhist altar. The shape is oval with openwork decoration for the foot and in relief on the top. It represents "ruyi", branches with leaves and bats. The niche is carved with a pointed opening, located on the front. On the reverse is an inscription with the famous four-line verses of Master Huineng (惠能), the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism.

The verse "菩提本無樹" (Pútí běn wú shù), is one of Master Huineng's most famous phrases intended to explain that all potential dharma is like a dream. He wanted to make people understand to avoid illusory thoughts and attachments, so that they can understand their minds, see their nature and reach enlightenment by themselves.

The word bat fu (福) is a homophone of happiness fu (蝠) and a symbol of blessing. And the Ruyi (如意) are a traditional Chinese handicraft treasure usually made of precious materials. When Taoist monks converse they keep the Ruyi in mind and write the sutras on them so that they remain.  

Dimensions: 24 x 13,5 x 15 cm; Weight: 779 g