Compendium of the Five Lamps

Beaded Forest of the Secret Court original: "秘殿珠林"; the imperial catalog of religious art. New Edition of the Secret Court original: "秘殿新編"; a later supplement to the imperial catalog. Treasure for the inspection of the Qianlong Emperor original: "乾隆御覽之寶"; Qianlong reigned 1735–1796.

The World-Honored One held up a flower, like an insect carving wood original: "世尊拈花如虫禦木". The "World-Honored One" is the Buddha. The phrase "like an insect carving wood" refers to an ancient metaphor for a pattern created by chance, suggesting the Buddha’s transmission of Zen was a spontaneous, wordless occurrence rather than a deliberate, academic lesson.

Treasure for the inspection of the Jiaqing Emperor original: "嘉慶御覽之寶"; Jiaqing reigned 1796–1820.

Mahakasyapa smiled, and by chance a pattern was formed original: "木迦葉微笑偶然成文". According to Zen tradition, when the Buddha held up a flower, only his disciple Mahakasyapa understood the silent teaching and smiled. This "pattern" refers to the birth of the Zen lineage.

Treasure for the inspection of the Xuantong Emperor original: "宣統御覽之寶"; Xuantong, also known as Puyi, was the last emperor of China, reigning 1908–1912.

Burdening later generations of descendants with this legacy original: "成文累他後代児孫". A classic Zen irony: by "starting" a tradition, the masters created a "burden" of study and practice for those who followed.

Mountain Villa of Benevolence and Longevity original: "仁夀山庄"; likely a reference to a specific location within the imperial summer estates where the work was kept.

Each one continuing the fragrance and passing on the flame original: "孫一一聯芳續焔". "Continuing the fragrance" and "passing the flame" are standard metaphors for the transmission of Buddhist teachings from teacher to student across generations.

Appreciated by Qianlong
Seal of Expert Inspection from the Hall of Three Rarities original: "三希堂"; the private study of the Qianlong Emperor.
Suitable for sons and grandsons original: "宜子孫"; a traditional seal expressing the wish that the treasure remain in the family for generations.