Zhao Mengfu's Inscription on the "Stele of Chan Master Yu Gong’s Virtuous Conduct" and the Buddhist-Taoist Controversy in the Yuan Dynasty

Abstract

The Stele of Chan Master Yu Gong’s Virtuous Conduct is preserved at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng County, Henan Province. This stele, written by Zhao Mengfu under the imperial commission during the Yuan dynasty, holds significant calligraphic value. Zhao Mengfu, a devout Buddhist, had profound interactions with prominent monks, and his inscription for Chan Master Yu Gong reflects his deep connection with Buddhism. The stele records Yu Gong’s life and the specific timing of a Buddhist-Taoist debate he led, providing corrections to errors in historical documents and related studies.