Seo-ong Seokho (1912~2003), painting title, Bak Bongsu, portrait artist, “Dalmado(Patriarch Bodhidharma's portait),” 61 x 42.8 cm, from the collection of Jeon Gilsu. 

This work is a titling, written in the semi-cursive style by Seo-ong, on a “Dalmado” portrait painted by Jihong Bak Bongsu. In a story that comes from the first case of the Biyan lu [Blue Cliff Record], the Chinese Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty asked the Patriarch Bodhidharma the following question: “what is the sacred teaching offered by the Buddha?” Bodhidharma replied, “from the very beginning, there is neither sacred nor not-sacred.” Emperor Wu asked again, “Who are you?” to which Bodhidharma replied, “I don't know.”