Headline News | Traditional Calligraphy and Painting | Antique Artifacts A Profound Dialogue Between Religion and Art — The Grand Reciprocal Book Donation Ceremony of The Relics of the Dharma Body: The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Mo Hai Chun Qiu
[2025-08-06 | Written by: Mo Hai Lou International Institute of Art Research]
On the morning of July 30, 2025, Fo Guang Culture and Mo Hai Lou International Institute of Art Research held a reciprocal book donation ceremony for The Relics of the Dharma Body: The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Mo Hai Chun Qiu: Research on the Connoisseurship of Classical and Contemporary Chinese Calligraphy and Painting at the “Good Knowledge” Hall on the fifth floor of Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihara. This cultural event not only symbolizes the profound exchange between Buddhist thought and calligraphy and painting arts but also embodies the shared spiritual mission and cultural values of Humanistic Buddhism and arts education in contemporary society.
▲ Venerable Yikong (right), Director of Fo Guang Shan Cultural Institute, donates 395 volumes of The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun to Mo Hai Lou, symbolizing the transmission of the Dharma lineage; Dr. Ye Guo Shin (left) of Mo Hai Lou reciprocates with Mo Hai Chun Qiu, paying tribute through arts and culture and demonstrating a profound dialogue between religion and art.
The ceremony was attended by a distinguished gathering of guests, including former Deputy Minister of Justice Tsai Pi-Chung, former Secretary-General of the Investigation Bureau Hsu Chih-Hsien, Counselor Liang Yung-Fei of the Ministry of Culture, Director Peng Tzu-Cheng of the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, Secretary-General Liao Chia-Hsiang of the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, Deputy Director Liang Chin-Chih of the National Center for Traditional Arts, Professor Su Hsien-Fa, President of the Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, former President Professor Chiang Ming-Hsien, Yu Wen-Mei, Chairperson of the Tainan Art Museum, Chang Kuo-Tso, President of the Chinese Taipei Badminton Association, Liu Hsi-Hai, Chairman of Emperor Art Auction Company, along with his son, Chung Fu-Wei, Chairman of Zhitong Tech, and Golden Horse Awards director and artistic director Chi Po-Chou. Important figures from politics, academia, and the arts gathered together, filling the venue with an atmosphere rich in culture and Dharma joy.
▲ The ceremony was held at the “Good Knowledge” space on the fifth floor of Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihara, attended by numerous figures from the arts and cultural community, creating a solemn yet warm atmosphere. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
During the ceremony, Ambassador Liu Xuanyong to Austria sent a special congratulatory telegram, wishing the event a complete success; Dr. Wang Tao, Pritzker Chair of Asian Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, and Ms. Fu Yi-Yao, daughter of the renowned master Fu Baoshi residing in Japan, also sent congratulatory letters, highly praising the profound significance of this cultural exchange.
Counselor Liang Yung-Fei of the Ministry of Culture remarked in his speech that Mo Hai Chun Qiu is currently the most comprehensive and structurally complete authoritative book on calligraphy and painting authentication, containing 720,000 characters. The content covers important calligraphers and painters from modern to contemporary periods across the Taiwan Strait and beyond. The book consolidates Dr. Ye Guo Shin’s years of first-hand data collection from major museums worldwide, supplemented by in-depth interviews with numerous artists and their families. The work balances academic rigor with practical market value. It is organized systematically with comparative charts and incorporates hidden advanced anti-counterfeit watermark technology, earning high recognition for its academic quality and publishing excellence, and was awarded the first prize in the 2019 Taiwan Golden Seal Book Awards in the book category. This collection has been acquired by authoritative institutions including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chinese-American Museum of Arts in New York, the National Palace Museum, the National Central Library, and the Department of Fine Arts at National Taiwan Normal University, and is highly regarded by scholars, experts, and collectors alike, becoming a key reference in the field of art authentication and research.
He further emphasized that Dr. Ye Guo Shin not only authors works but also actively promotes a complete ecosystem for art authentication. Dr. Ye has been invited to give specialized lectures at the Judicial Officers Academy and the Investigation Bureau to share his professional expertise, enhancing the practical skills of related practitioners. He also called on society to pay attention to the identification of authentic artworks to avoid the purchase of forgeries, thereby safeguarding the healthy development of the art market — a truly commendable contribution.
▲ From left: Liang Yung-Fei, Counselor of the Ministry of Culture; Venerable Man Qian, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihara; Dr. Ye Guo Shin of Mo Hai Lou; Venerable Yikong, Director of Fo Guang Shan Cultural Institute; Venerable Jue Pei, Secretary-General of Buddha’s Light International Association; and Su Hsien-Fa, President of the Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, at the book donation ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
▲ Six volumes of Mo Hai Chun Qiu, covering research on classical and contemporary calligraphy and painting connoisseurship, representing an important work in contemporary art authentication.
(Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
Professor Su Hsien-Fa, President of the Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, shared at the ceremony his deep Dharma connection with Fo Guang Shan and emotionally recalled a two-decade-long mentor-student relationship with Dr. Ye Guo Shin. He highly praised Dr. Ye as the “Lee Chang-Yu of the cultural world,” possessing a unique discerning eye in art authentication, often able to instantly distinguish the authenticity of works, which commands great respect.
Professor Su further pointed out that Mo Hai Chun Qiu not only covers well-known modern and contemporary artists from across the Taiwan Strait but also dedicates a comprehensive chapter systematically introducing important contemporary Taiwanese calligraphers and painters, leaving a valuable academic record in Taiwan’s art history.
He particularly mentioned that Dr. Ye has always been charitable and humble, performing good deeds without seeking recognition. To encourage young students, he has established scholarships at National Taiwan Normal University and Taiwan National University of the Arts, and promoted aid programs for underprivileged students in remote areas. Moreover, all honoraria from his teaching, lectures, and judging duties are fully donated to public welfare organizations and foundations, quietly practicing social care for nearly a decade. By leading through example, he truly embodies the scholar and art authenticator who has attained the realm of “Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.”
▲ Professor Su Hsien-Fa, President of the Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, delivering an emotional speech at the ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
Additionally, former Deputy Minister of Justice Tsai Pi-Chung encouraged the younger generation to embrace Buddhism, sharing his long-term experience of reading Buddhism for the Human World newspaper. He expressed that the philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism has brought him profound reflection and transformation in daily life, helping him understand how faith nourishes the mind and cultivates life.
He also praised Dr. Ye Guo Shin as an art authenticator who integrates art, philanthropy, and life philosophy. Dr. Ye not only leaves a lasting legacy through his writings but also actively fulfills his cultural mission through action. Tsai encouraged Dr. Ye to continue refining his work and contribute even more light and warmth to society and the art world.
▲ Former Deputy Minister of Justice Tsai Pi-Chung attending and offering guidance. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
Chairman Lin Gengqing of Ji Yi Printing recalled in his speech that the publication of Mo Hai Chun Qiu was truly a monumental work into which Dr. Ye Guo Shin poured ten years of dedication. From meticulous image refinement and proofing to the selection of paper and ink, no detail was spared, and Dr. Ye personally oversaw every step.
To ensure perfect print quality, Dr. Ye supervised production at the printing plant almost daily for nearly two years, traveling back and forth each day. During this period, he frequently brought precious master-level original artworks for side-by-side comparison with the printed results, striving for authenticity so readers could feel the impact and emotion as if viewing the originals firsthand.
Dr. Ye repeatedly verified the color accuracy and detail presentation of each page’s artworks, demonstrating his uncompromising pursuit of quality, which inspired great admiration. To meet such high academic and artistic standards, the Ji Yi team also gave their utmost effort, undergoing countless trial prints and precise color adjustments to achieve the ideal results.
Chairman Lin expressed that participating in the publication of such a representative art monograph was a rare honor and laid a solid foundation for many important future collaborations on exhibition catalogs.
▲ Chairman Lin Gengqing of Ji Yi Printing Arts International, who assisted in producing the two monumental works, also attended the book donation ceremony to offer his respects. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
Dr. Ye Guo Shin, in his speech, reflected on his academic journey and especially highlighted the invaluable experience of studying under several scholarly authorities. He shared that the rigorous doctoral training system in the UK impressed upon him that earning a doctorate only signifies mastery of fundamental principles and methods of art research, and that one must always maintain a humble attitude toward learning.
Dr. Ye also vividly recounted little-known anecdotes about the modern ink master Zhang Daqian documented in his book, sparking great interest among the attendees. The third volume of Mo Hai Chun Qiu contains a dedicated chapter analyzing the calligraphy of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, particularly discussing how his unique “One-Stroke” style integrates the spirit of stele and model calligraphy, embodying the unity of heart and brush, thereby opening new perspectives for Buddhist calligraphic aesthetics.
He emphasized that this book donation ceremony holds profound significance in his life. Although he spent many years writing over 750,000 words, he humbly acknowledged that it still cannot compare to the wisdom and Dharma teachings of Master Hsing Yun. He feels honored to participate with a reverent heart. He said, “Art is the union of goodness and beauty; what Master Hsing Yun promotes is Humanistic Buddhism directed toward life. What I strive to promote is an aesthetic life filled with taste and ethical thinking—I hope that my life is filled with beauty everywhere; and that human beauty comes from kindness and virtue.”
Dr. Ye concluded by expressing that his recent encounter with Buddhism has deepened his interest in Dharma. He regards himself as an “aesthetic volunteer” of the Fo Guang Shan spirit and aspires to dedicate himself fully whenever Fo Guang Shan needs him, aiming to spread this religion and culture filled with wisdom and positive energy to every corner of the world.
▲ Dr. Ye Guo Shin received recognition from Dr. Lee Chang-Yu, awarded a Certificate of Contribution in Art Authentication by the College of Criminal Justice at the University of New Haven, USA, honoring his achievements in the field of art forensics. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
Venerable Master Yi Kong, Director of the Fo Guang Shan Cultural Institute, delivered a heartfelt praise for Dr. Ye Guo Shin in his speech, calling him a rare “national treasure” of our time. He noted that Mo Hai Chun Qiu embodies both keen insight and profound wisdom, reflecting Dr. Ye’s solid academic expertise and outstanding artistic aesthetics, completed with a decade of unwavering scholarly rigor.
The Venerable expressed admiration, stating that the book is not only a profound portrayal of the spirit of art but also a solemn promotion of Chinese culture. Its extensive content and meticulous verification qualify it as a “national treasure-level collection.”
▲The book donation ceremony was presided over by Venerable Master Yi Kong, Director of the Fo Guang Shan Cultural Institute. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
This bilateral book donation ceremony used Dharma Body Relics: The Complete Works of Master Hsing Yun and Mo Hai Chun Qiu as bridges to facilitate the exchange between Buddhist wisdom and artistic spirit, embodying the ideal that “scriptures provide the roots for knowledge, while art opens the path for humanistic care in practice.”
This cultural feast, blending knowledge and faith, not only opens a new chapter for interdisciplinary collaboration between religion and art but also leaves a lasting brilliance in the history of cultural development in Taiwan and beyond.
▲ Authored nearly 750,000 words in the monograph Mo Hai Chun Qiu – Studies on Ancient and Modern Calligraphy and Painting Authentication and Collection, which won the First Prize in the 13th Taiwan Golden Seal Book Awards (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou).
Source : Fei Chi Zhong ART EMPEROR
