(Clearwisdom.net) Among the audience of all eight Divine Performing Arts' shows in Taipei, Tainan and Taichung, a few were fathers or nuns of Catholic background. Father Lu Da-cheng and Father Fang Chi-rong of Taipei, and Father Chao Yia-bo from Taichung highly praised the show, and indicated that they were deeply touched. When commenting on the performance piece depicting the persecution of Falun Gong, they condemned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s brutal persecution, and expressed their belief in the power of Chinese traditional culture to shatter the anti-human and anti-nature aspects of CCP culture. Since Communism is destroying Chinese culture, it does not have a future.
Father Lu Da-cheng: The Divine Performing Arts awaken people's desire to seek for the root of culture
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Father Lu Da-cheng is the chair of the Department of Religion at Furen University. He read many reports about the show before he came to see it. He said, "A superb show that has made such a strong impression and is already at its peak - It would be hard to add any more praise." (video)
He accepted an interview after watching the third show in Taipei on April 8. He indicated that the music, dance, stage design, costume, lights, and dances of the show were of a very high level. He felt the international praise was justified. He said that what shook him was in how the show awakened a deep feeling of assimilation to Chinese culture in his heart. "It resonated with me throughout all of the songs and dances."
He said, "The show was very creative. I was amazed that the performers, who grew up in America, had such good understandings of the Chinese culture. I was impressed with the dances that portrayed a patriotic spirit, such as 'The Loyalty of Yue Fei.' Such a program awakens people's willingness to seek for the root of culture."
The dance "To the Rightful Place" exposed the persecution of Falun Gong. Father Lu said: "My family members are Catholic. Two brothers of mine were jailed by the CCP for 20 years. My uncle was jailed for nine years and died in prison. Although it happened in the 1950's, it still hurts. [The CCP] is not a reasonable regime. They persecute their own members too, not just only persecute other groups. If you have a belief or opinion different from the CCP, it will persecute you. The persecution of Falun Gong is very brutal. I know about it and am very concerned about it."
"The principle of 'Good is rewarded with good, and evil is met with retribution' represented by the dance is very true. The CCP will be punished. This is my hope. I believe that all the efforts of Falun Gong practitioners will not be in vain."
On the issue of Communism destroying Chinese culture, Father Lu said: "There are many elements in our traditional culture that have already broken the hold of Communism, so Communism has no future."
Father Fang Chi-rong: The show carries the immense power of culture
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Father Fang Chi-rong, former Dean of the Religious Studies Institute of Furen University accepted an interview at Taipei. He thinks the backdrops, costumes, singing and dancing of the entire show were all so pleasant and touching. He said that he liked the dance of Yue Fei and the dance of Mulan very much, "We have all read about the stories of Mulan and Yue Fei before. But today they are displayed on stage, appearing more powerful and beautiful. It enables people to learn the virtues of loyalty, filial piety, self-respect, self-discipline and righteousness while enjoying the dances. The stage becomes a live rostrum, but much more attractive."
Father Fang was surprised by the authenticity of the performers, who are mainly borne in America: "There is a very strong cultural power backing these young people. I have been intuitively yearning for that. It is not easy to attain such understanding, and carry traditional Chinese stuff here to perform." He liked "Herding on the Mongolian Plains," where a group of young men dance on the plains with abundant vitality.
Father Fang Chirong, born in 1926 in Guichi of Anhui Province, has been living in Europe for many years. He indicated that he likes the three characters "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance." People should intensify the power of good and promote it. One should be compassionate to others. Tolerance is very good. Regarding the performance depicting the persecution of Falun Gong, he sees Falun Gong as just doing exercises and meditation. "It is the Communist party who's afraid of the firm belief that Falun Gong practitioners hold, and it is the CCP that caused the loss of people's trust. The CCP can't hold on to power while carrying out the persecution.
Father Chao Ya-bo: Seeking the truth through art
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Ninety one year-old Pastor Chao Ya-bo, the former principal of Weidao High School, is a famous philosopher. He has written dozens of books on philosophy. After watching the second show in Taichung, he said: "All the formats of art, including dancing, singing and painting, are not just for entertainment, but for seeking the truth and god. Through art, we can find the true meaning of life and truth."
He said that art can help one to cultivate, and the ultimate goal of art is to communicate with gods. He said that Falun Dafa is the truth today.
Nun: Numerous graceful features
 Nuns show their joyful smile |
Two nuns from a monastery in Taipei went to Tainan on April 10 before the show. They had read an introduction in the newspaper, and seen an advertisement showing Bodhisattva Guanyin, which made them want to see the show. When they arrived at the ticket office, they found the tickets were sold out. They were so disappointed. In the end the clerk managed to find two tickets for them.
The two nuns were from a famous Catholic high school-- Hsiaoming Girl's High School of Taichung City. They watched the sixth show in Taiwan at the Chung Hsing University Concert Hall on April 11. Nun Huang Shu-chen expressed her acclamations after watching the performance: "The postures in the dances are so beautiful; each dance showed rich and beautiful features. In 'Forsythia in Spring,' the dancers were so well aligned â€" exceptionally beautiful!" She pointed out it is so great for the Divine Performing Arts to promote divine culture around the world.
