A Dialogue Between Scriptures and Painting: Fo Guang Culture and Mo Hai Lou Co-Compose a New Chapter in Religion and Art
(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 Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, pose for a group photo at the book donation ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
On July 30, 2025, the Good Knowledge Space on the fifth floor of Fo Guang Shan Taipei Vihara witnessed a culturally and spiritually significant event — a reciprocal book donation ceremony jointly hosted by Fo Guang Culture and the Mo Hai Lou International Institute of Art Research. Two monumental works, The Relics of the Dharma Body: The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Ink Sea Chronicles: Research on the Connoisseurship of Classical and Contemporary Chinese Calligraphy and Painting, were exchanged, symbolizing the profound intersection between Buddhist scriptures and the art of calligraphy and painting. This event also opened a new dialogue between Humanistic Buddhism and cultural arts education.
The ceremony gathered distinguished guests from political, artistic, educational, and publishing fields. The venue was graced by prominent figures including Liang Yung-Fei, Counselor of the Ministry of Culture; Peng Tzu-Cheng, Director of the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum; Professor Su Hsien-Fa, President of the Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts; Yu Wen-Mei, Chairperson of the Tainan Art Museum; Tsai Pi-Chung, former Deputy Minister of Justice; leading figures from the art auction and design communities; and director Chi Po-Chou, all contributing to an atmosphere of cultural fusion and shared joy in the Dharma.
A Cultural Tribute Steering on Scriptures, Sailing with Painting
The ceremony began with Venerable Yikong, Director of the Fo Guang Shan Cultural Institute, presenting the complete set of The Relics of the Dharma Body: The Complete Works of Venerable Master Hsing Yun — all 395 volumes — symbolizing the inheritance and propagation of Buddhist wisdom. Dr. Ye Guo Shin, representing Mo Hai Lou, reciprocated with the decade-in-the-making Ink Sea Chronicles, showcasing profound research and academic rigor on the authentication of classical and contemporary calligraphy and painting. Together, these works form a dynamic yet contemplative cultural dialogue, reflecting and complementing each other.
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 Ink Sea Chronicles, paying tribute through arts and culture and demonstrating a profound dialogue between religion and art. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
Venerable Yikong highly praised Ink Sea Chronicles as a monumental cultural work endowed with both insightful wisdom and spiritual vision, lauding Dr. Ye as a “national treasure-level figure.” He stated, “The character of the text reveals strength and integrity, while the images convey spirit. The publication of this book is not only a profound portrayal of art but also a promotion of culture.” He emphasized that this book donation symbolizes the transmission of knowledge and the relay of cultural spirit, carrying significance across generations.
Cultural and artistic blessings and testimonies
Counselor Liang Yung-Fei of the Ministry of Culture remarked that Dr. Ye has dedicated many years to art authentication and exhibition promotion, with Ink Sea Chronicles as a prime example embodying deep educational value in the arts. He said, “This is more than a book; it is a bridge connecting appreciation, education, and art historical research, making profound contributions to the fields of calligraphy, painting, and culture.”
Professor Su Hsien-Fa, President of the Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, also expressed admiration for Dr. Ye, comparing him to Henry Lee in the cultural sphere for his unique and keen ability to discern authenticity at a glance. He recalled their teacher-student friendship and praised Dr. Ye’s tireless efforts in both scholarship and curatorship.
Chairman Lin Geng-Ching of the printing industry shared insights from the publication process, admiring Dr. Ye’s near-perfectionist demand for printing quality. Dr. Ye personally brought authentic originals to the site for comparison, striving for pixel-perfect image reproduction — “a decade’s worth of dedication.”
Former Deputy Minister of Justice Tsai Pi-Chung shared reflections on his experience reading Human Daily, expressing his deep understanding of Buddhism and Humanistic Buddhism. He emphasized, “The wisdom of religion and the sincerity of art have long been closely intertwined in daily life.”
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 and warm atmosphere. (Photo courtesy of Mo Hai Lou)
Mo Hai and Fa Hai Reflect Each Other: The Spiritual Height of Two Monumental Works
Dr. Ye Guo Shin highlighted in his speech that the third volume of Ink Sea Chronicles deeply explores Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy art. He noted that the Master’s “One-Stroke Calligraphy” style combines the essence of stele inscriptions and model scripts, characterized by bold strokes and strong bone structure—an embodiment of the unity of mind and brush technique, pioneering a new aesthetic understanding of Buddhist calligraphy.
He expressed emotionally that Ink Sea Chronicles is not merely an academic work but a record bearing his personal insights, life journey, and passion for Chinese art and culture, as well as a heartfelt tribute to the cultural spirit of Fo Guang Shan.
Additionally, congratulations flowed in from overseas. Ambassador Liu Xuanyong to Austria sent a congratulatory telegram; Dr. Wang Tao from the Chicago Art Museum and Japanese-based artist Fu Yi-Yao also sent letters, all expressing high recognition of the cultural significance of this book exchange ceremony.
With Culture as the Warp and Spirit as the Weft — Writing a Dialogue Chapter of Contemporary Civilization
This cross-disciplinary book exchange ceremony is not only a transmission of knowledge but a profound dialogue spanning religion, art, and cultural education. The Relics of the Dharma Body carries the heart of the Dharma, while Ink Sea Chronicles condenses the soul of brush and ink. These two monumental works converge in the same space and time as spiritual symbols, leaving a deep imprint on contemporary culture.
With the joint promotion of Fo Guang Shan and Mo Hai Lou, the vessel of culture is able to sail on the ocean of spirit. This “Dialogue Between Scriptures and Painting” not only adds weight to cultural heritage but also awakens public recognition and revaluation of the roles of art and religion in modern society.
Source :191ART Arts & Culture Bulletin
