From North to South, though paths may stray, all find their way to the source once more.
Beyond the gate, the Dharma flows, steadfast and strong, a pillar to restore.

Across the seas, from East to West, sages walk in harmony’s embrace,
They soothe the tempests of the world as wisdom blooms with gentle grace.

The couplet, gifted by Zhang Xueliang, is a Longmen-style relief carving of white characters in seal script. It features a regular script signature, along with two seals: a red one reading “Zhang Xueliang’s Seal” and a white one marked “Owner of Yian.”
The upper couplet highlights the unity of Zen Buddhism, emphasizing that while the Northern and Southern schools differ in approach, their goal is the same: to realise true nature, establish correct faith, and unify the tradition. The lower couplet conveys the universality of wisdom, noting that sages from East and West, despite geographical divides, share harmonious teachings that alleviate suffering and resolve global calamities.

The couplet honours Tung Lin Kok Yuen as a sacred monastery, a pillar of Zen Buddhism committed to propagating the Dharma and its mission worldwide.