"Abiding Nowhere, the Awakened Mind Arises”

Musō Soseki

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The eight Chinese characters brushed in a striking cursive script here convey a fundamental Zen message that awakening can be achieved by transcending all aspects of the material, transitory world. They were written by Musō Soseki, one of the most influential monks in the early history of Japanese Zen. Unlike many of his predecessors, Musō did not travel to China, but he studied under the émigré monk Yishan Yining (1247–1317) and a number of leading Japanese monks who themselves had been to the mainland or were disciples of Chinese masters. He spent his early career in Kamakura before accepting an invitation in 1333 from the emperor to move to Kyoto, where he spent the rest of his life. His many prominent disciples included Zekkai Chūshin.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art