Tiao Jan identifies himself as the pupil of Master Kukai. Master Kukai was previously the Bettō (responsible person) at Todaiji Temple. Also, the first dojo of Shingon Buddhism is at Todaiji Temple. Todaiji Temple is the headquarters of Huayan Buddhism. Tiao Jan placed the Maitreya with fan engraving by Gao Wen-Jin inside the Sakyamuni sculpture returned to Japan and used the Esoteric Buddhism Maitreya portrait to present the imagery of Maitreya holding a fan in the Palace of the Usita Heaven. It is the delivery and expression of the theory of the Buddha's physical form based on the integration of Exoteric Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism that reveals the overlap between the worlds of Exoteric Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism. Qingliang Temple’s main deity, Sakyamuni Buddha reflects the core principles of Dongdaiji Temple, i.e., the theory of Buddha’s physical form. It corresponds to the “one body multiple Buddhas” theory described in Huayan Jing (Avatamsaka Sutra) Ru Fajie Pin. On the other hand, Vairocana Buddha is the reincarnation of Chakravartin. Shancai’s encounter with Maitreya Bodhisattva’s Ru Fajie Pin in the gem-encrusted pagoda is the scripture that explains Chakravartin and Maitreya Bodhisattva share the same body. It serves as an important reference to the Maitreya Buddhism belief in Huayan Sutra. Therefore, it is clear that under the one-body-multiple-Budhhas theory in Fajie Pin, Sakyamuni Buddha is in fact Vairocana Buddha, and Vairocana Buddha is Chakravartin, and it is also Maitreya Buddha. Gao Wen-Jin’s portrait of Maitreya with fan in the Palace of the Usita Heaven originated in the backdrop in Sichuan with an endless succession of talented sculptors and painters. The Emperor of Former Shu established the first Hanlin Painting Academy in China. A sea of literati, scholars, painters, and craftsmen of all kinds flocked to seek asylum in Shu. The impact of Buddhism and Taoism portrait art also played a part. Altogether these factors nurtured the development of paintings and art in Sichuan. During the South and North Song dynasties, the portrait art of Esoteric Buddhism influenced the development of aesthetic philosophy and painting art. The Academy promoted originality and diversity in artworks by discouraging imitation. That is the background leading up to the production of a Maitreya portrait with fan.
