Taichung's Mayor Hu Shows His Support for Dharma Drum University
Following a near month-long exhibition in Tainan throughout June, Venerable Master Sheng Yen's Chinese calligraphy artworks were moved to Taichung City's Shinkong Mitsukoshi Department for display from 27 July to 5 August 2007.
Taichung's mayor, Mr. Jason Hu (Hu Zhichiang), his wife, and many local celebrities of Taichung, were all present at the opening ceremony to welcome Venerable Master Sheng Yen’s arrival and to show appreciation in his exceptional works.
With a harmonious song playing in the background, Venerable Master Sheng Yen and Venerable Guo Dong made their way to the stage, continuously expressing their warmest gratitude to the packed hall with joined palms.
A well-known artist of Chinese calligraphy in Taiwan, Mr. Du Zongkao, praised the characters of the Master's Chinese calligraphy, saying that they clearly spread the spirit of Chan to audiences. The characters are the result of achieving a harmonious and peaceful status of the mind.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen not only returned his sincerest gratitude to Mr. Du, but also took the opportunity to encourage all people to study the Dharma diligently for wisdom, and peace in the mind.
In addition to warmly welcoming the Master's arrival on behalf of Taichung's residents, the Mayor and his wife used this rare occasion to sincerely thank the Master for the letter of condolence they received last year.
The letter was sent from the Master, to help them endure one of the hardest times of their life when Mr. Hu's wife had just suffered a terrible car accident. "The letter from the Master really gave me hope, as if seeing a light in the dark. Now that letter is still displayed on the wall of my wife's room."
The mayor further expressed his utmost appreciation and support to Venerable Master Sheng Yen's compassionate vow of establishing Dharma Drum University. Master Sheng Yen encouraged everyone to have strong faith in the establishment of Dharma Drum University that aims to 'uplift the character of humanity and build a pure land on earth'.
The Master said that in addition to purchasing his works on Chinese calligraphy, alternatively people can also show their support by donating a mere NT$5 a day (NT$5,475 for three years in total) to assist in the building of Dharma Drum University.
At the end of this exhibition, the Master's works of Chinese calligraphy will be displayed at Kaoshiung's Culture Center from 11 to 22 August.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
