Venerable Master Sheng Yen's Chinese Calligraphy Artworks Brings Dharma Joy to Kaohsiung
Following a 10-day exhibition in Taichung City, Venerable Master Sheng Yen's Chinese calligraphy artworks were transported to the Culture Center of Kaohsiung City for exhibition from 11 to 22 August 2007.
On the morning of 11 August, Venerable Master Sheng Yen also presided the refuge-taking ceremony at Dharma Drum Mountain's (DDM/Fagushan) Ziyun Monastery in Kaohsiung, where he personally transmitted the Three Jewels to 1,200 followers.
The Master and the Abbot President of DDM, Venerable Guo Dong, then proceeded to the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Honorable guests attending the exhibition included Kaohsiung City Mayor, Chen Chu, Kaohsiung City Council former speaker, Chen Tien-Mao, and the President of Legislative Yuan, Wang Jin-Pyng.
As Venerable Master Sheng Yen and Venerable Guo Dong made their way to the stage, they responded to the attendees' warmest welcome with joined palms as an expression of gratitude.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen humbly expressed his opinion of his calligraphy works as not comparable to famous calligraphers' masterpieces, but for those who collect it do so in support of upholding Buddhist education.
The President of Legislative Yuan, Wang Jin-Pyng, praised Venerable Master Sheng Yen's writing style as distinctive and valuable, suggesting this unique writing style to be called "the embodiment of Sheng Yen".
The president added that Venerable Master Sheng Yen's calligraphy words act as a compass in guiding us on how to better deal with our behavior and everyday life. He continued saying that he hopes everyone attending today will actively support and see to it that Venerable Master Sheng Yen's compassionate vow of building Dharma Drum University will be fulfilled in the near future.
Kaohsiung's Mayor, Chen Chu, said that to this day she remains full of gratitude towards Venerable Master Sheng Yen for the wooden tablet inscribed with the Chinese words "The Rising Great Compassion" that he has given to her in the past. She added that she will continue to seek guidance and advice from him in the future.
Chen Chu also expressed that even from her previous position as the Chief of Taipei City's Department of Social Affairs, she was already very touched by DDM's idea of environmentalism. As a result, she has co-produced various Buddhist ceremonies in support of DDM's mission, and strongly believes that with the guidance from Venerable Master Sheng Yen, the building of Dharma Drum University will be in line with DDM's continual commitment of "building a pure land on earth".
This exhibition not only hopes to bring Dharma joy to the people, but also to gain support from people of Kaohsiung with the construction of Dharma Drum University.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen encouraged every follower to study the Dharma with diligence so that wisdom can manifest to bring about peace in the mind and to treat others with compassion and tolerance to achieve peace in society.
DDM would like to invite to those who are interested in supporting the construction of Dharma Drum University to do so by either purchasing Venerable Master Sheng Yen' Chinese calligraphy, or by supporting other DDM fundraising activities for this cause, such as contributing NT$5 a day for three years (totaling NT$5,475).
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
