Cultural Contribution Award awarded to Venerable Master Sheng Yen
The Chinese Arts & Literature Association has conferred the Distinguished Culture Contribution Award to Venerable Master Sheng Yen to acknowledge his continuing dedication and impact on Chinese arts and literature.
Venerable Master Sheng Yen accepted this honor at the Awards Ceremony of the 2008 Arts & Literature Festival on the 4th of May 2008. This prestigious event was hosted by the Chinese Arts & Literature Association at the Republic of China Military Club in Taipei.
The Award was personally presented to the Venerable Master by the newly elected Taiwanese President and current Taipei Municipality Mayor, Mr. Ying Jeou MA. Congratulations to the Venerable Master were offered by many prominent guests from the fields of arts and literature.
On receiving the Award, the Venerable Master expressed his gratitude and offered a blessing to everyone involved. The Venerable Master noted that the internationally renowned Cloud Gate's performance at the event demonstrated the intimate link between religious literature (including Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist Chan/Zen teachings) and the creation of art and modern literature. His address was warmly applauded.
At this event, the Venerable Master was also advised of his status of being among fifty of the most influential individuals throughout the last four hundred years in Taiwanese history. These accolades acknowledge the Venerable Master's approach and devotion to the propagation of orthodox Chinese Buddhism and to education. The support of the literary and artistic fields to the work of the Venerable Master is gratefully accepted.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
