Chung Pen's landscape esthetics is based on the concept of [charm]. Avivid portrayal of human figures can be easier to comprehend,for human being possesses facial expression. However,how can landscape possess "Charm"? How can it be Possible to clear its "Charm"?
The theory of "Clearing Charm",representing the concept of "Charm",must go through the breaking through and variation of quality. Doing serious thinking to the theory is the important key to comprehend the Chinese painting esthetics.
Scholars, for the most part,expound the theory of "Clearing Charm",form the viewpoint of metaphysics, thinking of it as the product of times from the study of Chuang-Chou,Neglecting the Ideas And Beliefs of Buddhism in it. This is due to their failure to understand the profound influence of Huei Yuan's view on Nature on Chung Pen.
Huei Yuan's view on Nature takes induction as theory. Induction has two meanings; one refers to the vulgar transmission of "Retribution for Nature", and the other "Dharmakaya Induction. Inscription of Shadow of Buddha" regards the good earth of mountains and rivers as the embodiment of the gods, which is believed to be present everywhere. Therefore the beauty of natural scenery,too, possesses a spiritual meaning related to Buddha. Chung Pen's Preface to Painting Landscape exactly aucceeds to Huei Yuan's outlook on nature,expressed in ways of observing things, and requiring that painting esthetics must come to reach the effects of portraying the charm of landscape.
This article starts from this way,the theory of "Clearing Charm",which actually contains the fun of religion,metaphysics and estheticism. In view of Buddhist esthetics, the theory of "Clearing Charm", founded in the fifth century,is not only far earlier than esthetics of the Zen sect of Buddhism, but also appropriate to the ultimate concern of dharmakaya, infusing the ideas of Buddhism into Chinese landscape painting. Its importance is well worth our appreciation and elaboration.