ā¦ I still return to China frequently, but as a traveller I remain even more of an outsider than before. On what is likely to be my last trip for the time being, in 2013, I slip away from the obligations of the group I am travelling with and spend a few days at the Taoist Bai Yun Guan, the Temple of the White Cloud ē½é²č§, on the outskirts of Beijing. I had been introduced to Heven Qiu, one of the leading monks there, and he turns out to be the best guide I could have wished for at this historic site...
..In a garden at the rear of the extensive Bai Yun Guan complex stands a stele, a vertical stone, bearing an engraved drawing and text. It is the Nei Jing Tu å
§ē¶å, the āImage of the Inner Landscapeā. I had often seen reproductions of the steleās engraving, but now, in the quiet enclave of the monastery garden, I see in the marvellous image the essence of an entire culture. Simple in presentation, light-hearted and at times humorous, yet also profound and fundamental in meaning. The mutual reflection of the macrocosm and the microcosmā¦
The image shows a human figure, seen in profile. Only the torso and head are depicted. The whole composition bears a resemblance to a fetus. Inside the body, there are no bones, organs, or blood vessels, as one might expect. Instead, there is a grove of mulberry trees, the Great Dipper constellation, a mountain range, a ploughing farmer, a raging torrent, a pagoda, a bridge, and much more. The entire outside world can be found inside the human body. An unexpected interpretation of anatomical illustration.
There is one exception. One single object is depicted outside the body. Just above the crown, a tiny grain of millet floats. The accompanying text states:
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'Eight is More Than a Thousand' is built using Ghost, an open-source writing platform. All contributions go directly to the writer.
Some of the articles on 8ismeerdan1000 are freely accessible. Another section is available only to paying subscribers. By taking out a paid subscription ā which can be for a month or a year ā you help to support the progress of the Eight is More Than a Thousand project!
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