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Capturing Buddhist Doctrines on Canvas: 2007.7.25 Prof. Gaetano Ricco (Professor Gaetano Ricco is a specialist in world art and cultural history.) Master Lee - a Buddhist teacher, writer, composer, talented painter, man of science-is about to offer us his knowledge on the mysteries of the universe. He will offer an impromptu performance of oil painting on canvas and demonstrate his interpretation of Buddha, the oriental science, and the Tibetan Charkas Theory. Master Lee was born in Taiwan from a Christian family. One day, he met Master Yuan Dao, who then became his master, and converted to Buddhism. Buddhism as we all know is an Asian religion that though doesn't have a structural hierarchy that is very consolidated, proposes to its followers a path, a path that is almost always made of bringing oneself closer to the method of eliminating one's pain, that brings them one step closer to the truth. In a sense, the existing world becomes part of the world within oneself. Basically, it is a form of rebirth, in which man finds his balance with nature. Illustrating a Path to Enlightenment When you see Master Lee in action, you will witness that he paints to find a method to bring himself closer in his search for the true path. Through his paintings, he tells of finding a method of enlightenment, in which it seems to give him the understanding of the essence of the universe. He understands that the essence of the universe could translate onto his canvas. Instead of worrying about how Westerners perceive art, it becomes a medium to transmit to others the sense of mystery towards the universe. This should help his students and maybe others in the future to find themselves with the cosmic understanding that reigns over us. More importantly, it seemed to remind me of a technique that Master Lee explained to me. He tries to extract in the moment the energy that he collects from enlightenment and expresses it in his art work. So therefore, Master Lee invited me to participate in his creation and to see what was happening, just as you will see what is happening on the canvas and you will be participating in this artistic creation. Rediscovering the Self and Universe For those who have followed Master Lee, they are able to understand him better. The followers will be able to live a life of rediscovery of one's self. In this philosophy, like I was stating before, it is a philosophy that is based on the harmony of the universe. In his phase of absolute creativity, he tours the world because he would like this message to become synonymous with his name. And for this, the Master has created a number of institutes. He believes that all this funding should be used to create a universal peace that all of us hope for. Master Lee often says that wars are born from the incomprehension and contradictions of every one of us wanting to find peace in mind, but really it has nothing to do with the sense of the absolute universe. So now Master Lee is here with us tonight with his artistic experience, hopefully to help us become closer to that sense of truth. To Master Lee By Professor Gaetano Ricco The good oriental wind came To impregnate the art sleeping for many years Declaring to me the energies Profoundly hidden, but also alive In the mind of the one who is not satisfied but searching and continuing to love the Right Way and now due to the art of the Master Arises and bestows through symbols and enigma In color chants to the Beauty By the enchantment of mysterious correspondences, Remind us of Harmony and Knowledge To go forward at the helm towards the goal Securely towards the path of Perfection And the one who makes himself little will know How to listen to his art Meditating not at last to unveil for him the Only mysteries of the Universe! |