Jeweled Flower Hall

Jeweled Flower Hall

Offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
304C Exhibition Hall

Gold and silver, pearl and jade, rare stone and gems—they are considered the rare and precious jewels in this world. Yet, China's first Zen Patriarch Bodhidharma says: "Among all the jewels, the jewel of Dharma is the most extraordinary." To Buddhists, the most precious thing of all is indeed the chance to see the Buddha and hear his teachings, and through believing, understanding and practicing the Dharma, to transcend life and death, the unending cycle of suffering.

A sutra says: "Among all the fields of merit, the Buddha's is the greatest."

The kind act of giving produces the positive karma that yields blessings; and offering precious things to the buddhas and bodhisattvas is a way we pray for blessings for all beings. Yet, cultivating according to the Dharma, thus ultimately freeing one from endless eons of suffering, is the highest offering of all.

May all beings encounter the Buddha, the Dharma, and see the blossoming of the most precious flower of our original mind.

Blue-and-White Precious Moon Flask
Qing Dynasty
1736-1795 C.E.
Porcelain
48 cm
304C Jeweled Flower Hall: Offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Blue-and-White Precious Moon Flask Also known as a "Moon Embracing Flask," this vessel form was first created during the Yongle reign (1403–1424) of the Ming dynasty. The Qianlong Emperor later revived it, admiring its noble and dignified shape. This blue-and-white moon flask features a long neck with a small mouth, a flattened circular body, and a ring foot. The shoulder is adorned with a pair of dragon-shaped handles, and the base bears the six-character seal mark "Made in the Qianlong reign of the Great Qing". The neck is decorated with "waves and riverbanks" motifs—commonly seen in Ming and Qing imperial wares—symbolizing the wish for the empire's eternal stability. The body is finely painted with bats (symbols of blessing) and entwined lotus blossoms, classic motifs of official kilns. At the center of the raised medallion is the character "Shou" (longevity). The craftsmanship is exceptionally refined: the cobalt-blue pigment was applied in thick washes to emulate the deep speckled tones of early Ming Xuande blue-and-white ware. Elegant in proportion and harmonious in form, the flask's translucent glaze and graceful blue patterns radiate a serene luster, exuding the majestic splendor of imperial artistry.
TOP