Glorifying Earth with Heavenly Love and Beauty – Celestial Art and The Love of Centuries: Aulacese Edition Premiere Concert

The artists, they are truly here to beautify the world with their genuine, loving spirit and exceptional talents…They make us happy, not only with their artistic creations, but also through their gentleness and benevolent hearts. All this should be appreciated and supported in whatever means possible...

—Supreme Master Ching Hai.

By Los Angeles News Group, USA (Originally in Aulacese)


To celebrate the premiere of the Aulacese (Vietnamese) edition of two books: Celestial Art, a compilation of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s Heaven-inspired art pieces and designs, and The Love of Centuries, Her most recent exquisite poetry collection to date, a concert was held on May 29, Golden Year 8 (2011), at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Organized by the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association, the conference was attended by about 1,500 guests and featured insightful speeches by esteemed guest speakers, as well as wonderful performances by acclaimed singers, renowned composers and talented dancers. Despite Her busy schedule, invited guest of honor Supreme Master Ching Hai made time to attend the event via videoconference, during which She expressed Her heartfelt appreciation for all artists and their precious contributions to our world.

On behalf of the President and faculty of the Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Associate Professor Dr. Laddawan Na Ranong graciously welcomed everyone as she wished the conference great success.

Commenting on Celestial Art, the famed Aulacese caricaturist Nhữ Đ́nh Ngoạn, also known as painter Nhím, expressed his admiration for Master’s extraordinary and diverse artistic talent. He said Master’s creations revealed Her wealth of knowledge in terms of culture and the arts. In addition, he said, “The book also reveals that Master is always living in harmony with nature, with the peaceful and simple lives of all beings.”

Poet and playwright Nguyễn Thị Hồng Ngát shared her thoughts on The Love of Centuries. To help readers fully appreciate the beauty of the verses in the Aulacese language, she suggested the poems be recited aloud to hear the melodious, rhythmic arrangement of 4-word, 5-word and free poetic styles, with special attention given to the six-eight rule that the poet Supreme Master Ching Hai had strictly applied. She ended her speech with Master’s poem “I Am,” because in her opinion, this profound and humorous poem represents Master’s philosophy, worldview, and poetry: “I am a politician without a platform. I am a King without a throne. I am a soldier without weapons. I am a victim without justification. I am a fighter without enemy. Friends and foes, they’re all within me!”  

Musician Trần Quang Lộc has created many songs from Master’s poetry such as “Only Wishes” and “Since I’ve Loved You.” In his speech, he remarked that Master’s poems represent the voice of the heart as he said, “They are the love of a Master that is reserved for sentient beings who are still lost in the illusions of the mundane world of sorrows.” He went on to convey his gratitude for the chance to soar high with the remarkable lyrics carried in Her choice of words, and expressed his admiration and appreciation to Zen Master and Poet Supreme Master Ching Hai.

The audience was treated to a night of magnificent and uplifting international performances that included dances from Âu Lạc, Thailand, South Korea and China, as well as songs adapted from Master's poems: “The Love of Centuries,” composed by Phạm Duy and sung by Duy Quang; “To the Love of My Lives” and “The Fragrant Path,” realized by composer Quang Dũng and sung by Hồng Lê; “Bird of Paradise,” by musician Trần Đ́nh and performed by the Cỏ Lạ band; and “A Word with the Buddha Stone-Statue,” by musician An Thuyên and performed by the vegan singer Hồ Quỳnh Hương. Our Association members from Formosa also presented a marvelous Celestial Clothes fashion show.

The climax of the conference came when Master appeared on screen, greeted by enthusiastic and welcoming applause from the guests. Looking elegant and youthful in a pink outfit, Master told everyone a simple yet profound tale She said that She made up especially for the artists of this world. At the beginning of the Creation, God had made two groups of people: the artist group and the non-artist group. The artist group became so involved in creating things and beautifying the world that they didn’t have time to support themselves financially. On the other hand, the non-artist group was busy making money, opening banks and enjoying material comfort. Hearing of the plight of the artists, God made a third group, the “art lovers,” who not only could earn money but also supported the artists. Master ended the story, saying, “So God was very pleased with Hiers arrangement and the artist people were also very, very mightily happy.” She said she hoped that there would be more art lovers in the world, so that the artists during their lifetime are provided the basic necessities for human comfort and dignity.

Feeling overwhelmingly touched by these special people through personal encounters in many expos and conferences, Master highlighted the saintly quality of the artists as She said She wished everyone in the world would have a chance to know an artist in person: “Not just appreciating their work, but their extraordinary kind heart, their high level of gentleness and their exceptional talents which brought smiles to the world, which bring sunshine into our lives, which comfort us when we are in trouble and sorrow. All this should be appreciated and supported in whatever means possible by individuals and the society at large, so that they can contribute more to our world and secure their comfort materially for their life while they’re working to beautify this planet.”

While answering questions from vegan musician Minh Hà and vegan composer Thái An about the qualities of celestial art and the difference in artistic value between the work of an enlightened artist and that of an ordinary one, Master further explained that when artists are in tune with Heaven, their creations will naturally carry Heavenly blessings, which will in turn make people feel happy, touched and elated. For example, Her Celestial Jewelry might be a reminder of the Divine inner wonders, while Her Longevity Lamps not only illuminate with physical light, but also can reawaken the spiritual splendor within.

She encouraged all artists to take care to elevate themselves so that they can be more in tune with the Heavenly creative force. Then their work and their beings will bring upliftment to people and benefit all in different directions, even before they put their thoughts onto canvas, into musical notes or into sentences of poetry.

Master praised Dr. Ngô Đức Vượng, a biologist who has been vegan for almost 30 years, for his artistic contributions as a scientist, saying that these also remind of our original nobility and the loving quality of Heaven. She pointed out: “Biology of our planet is great art. The whole planet is a great art, the great Creation. So everything we love in this life is the love of art. So biologists or otherwise, it’s the same – all art lovers.”

Artist Nông Vĩnh Quang, a vegetarian, asked Master what an artist can do to reduce the effects of global warming, to not only give meaning but also spiritual value to life. Master replied that artists can voice their concerns and opinions through their creations; bring their feelings to the turbulent world to awaken humanity’s dormant divine nature. Above all, She emphasized that artists should first heal themselves of all inflicted wrong concepts and of wounds sustained by wrong actions and influences. Then they can also heal the world.

Though not able to be present physically, several VIPs from around the globe sent their greetings via video clips, including Kang Yuan, poet and Chair of the Kang Yuan Culture & History Workshop from Formosa (Taiwan); Silvana Andrade (Vegan), journalist and founder of the ANDA News Agency of Animal Rights from Brazil; Stijn Bruers (Vegan), author and animal activist from Belgium; Nguyệt Oanh (Vegetarian), journalist from Âu Lạc; and Victoria Moran (Vegan), international speaker and bestselling author of Creating a Charmed Life from USA.

The concert concluded with the song “Let’s Love,” adapted from Master’s poem into music by musician Minh Hà, and performed by singers Hoàng Hiệp, Phan Ngọc Luân, Hồng Lê and Hồ Quỳnh Hương and all participating artists, with an overwhelming response from the audience.

We thank the prosperous and hospitable country of Thailand, especially the Royal family and government agencies, for extending their warm welcome to host such a beautiful event. We are also grateful to Master and all artists in the world for bringing the glory of Heaven to Earth, to comfort the souls of people and to remind us to return to our true Home!

 

To watch Supreme Master TV’s coverage on this book premiere, please visit: http://video.godsdirectcontact.net/magazine/EE1768j.php