(Clearwisdom.net) "Five thousand years are a script. Ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers are the stage. Children of China sing the grand opera. A divine culture comes from the heavens. In glory, new principles are formed. The divine display their spirit. A new world is established to pave the path back to heaven. We look forward to the return of the gods, who are calling to awaken us. The path is in front of us."
Classical Chinese painter Sun Jiaqin and his wife attended the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) performance on March 1, 2009, the sixth DPA performance in Taipei this year. Mr. Sun is an art professor at Chinese Culture University in Taiwan. He is the grandson of General Sun Chuanfang, and one of the last disciples of the late Buddhist painter extraordinaire Zhang Daqian. To pursue an artistic education with Mr. Zhang, Mr. Sun left behind a prominent painting career in Taiwan and lived with Mr. Zhang in Brazil for 10 years. Mr. Zhang, considered by many the greatest Chinese painter of the 20th century, said that Mr. Sun's approach to art and his aptitude "can reverse the eight-generation decline" in classical Chinese painting.
Mr. Sun said he appreciated and admired DPA's performance from the bottom of his heart. He was "deeply moved." He said, "They not only had great skills. The arrangement of the dances and their devotion deeply moved me. Dance is not just a physical activity. It is a form of beauty, and showcases the skills and soul of the dancers. The choreographers and composers were especially great."
"I sincerely admire the choreographers and dance instructors. I think the different arts are all connected. A dance movement or a song cannot be separated from painting."" He said the different styles in the DPA performance, including the Tibetan dance, represented different artistic images. He said, "This has been a great experience. It was very delightful."
The dance "Persecuted on a Divine Path" left a deep impression on Mr. Sun. He said, "People in the human world eventually return to the heavens. Those persecuted did not succumb to the evil and powerful. That is truly touching." He said he felt the power of a strong will. Mrs. Sun said, "The good and the evil are clearly distinguished. Justice coexists with peace."
Mrs. Sun also said, "Of course there has to be justice in a civilized society. It goes beyond the law. Laws are made by people, but people are born with kindness. God gave us a kind nature. People should have kindness, coexist in peace, and care for each other." She thinks these values are very important to society.
Mrs. Sun said, "It was great! Just great!" She said, "I was so moved that I cried. Gods will return. They definitely will! After I heard the tenor sing, I wanted to cry." Mr. Sun also said he wanted to cry. He said, "The realm of the lyrics and the meanings expressed in his singing are needed in this society of ours."
Mr. Li Yihan is a scholar of classical Chinese arts, an accomplished painter, and an art critic who has had many solo art exhibits. He said that through the show, he experienced true kindness and beauty. He said, "I saw a demonstration of humanity, a natural and truthful expression of it. I also felt that everyone's heart was touched." Mr. Li thinks that the amazing experience was because the DPA performance was "the renaissance of a 5,000-year history and culture. It was like a lotus flower emitting fragrance and the light of life." He called it an inspiration from the Eastern divine arts to the culture of the 21st century.
Classical Chinese artist and art critic Li Yihan
From the first dance to the last, Mr. Li thought the whole performance was very well integrated. Implied in the dances were the positive values of humanity. For example, the dance about Monk Jigong showed Jigong's compassion and wisdom in saving people. He said, "In short, [the dances were] both fluid and deeply meaningful. It's both classical Eastern and modern. That's how I feel."
Mr. Li was very impressed by the delicate and exquisite elegance of the female dancers. In their light and smooth dance movements, they showed an uplifting beauty and amazing spirit. He said, "Their forms are truly extraordinary. It was just wonderful."
Mr. Li thought that although Divine Performing Arts' inspiration comes from the East, the audience mostly lives in a society influenced by Western culture. The two cultures interact, bringing "new inspiration for the 21st century." It prompts people to think. He said, "People need wisdom. They don't need more knowledge or information. Neither do they need the negative impacts of the Western culture."
Mr. Li thinks the truthfulness, kindness, and beauty of the DPA performance has reached the pinnacle of art. It is truly inspiring. He expressed the hope that future artists would be able to absorb the strengths of DPA and make the world a better place. He said, "I think attending this performance will truly bring a lifetime of good fortune."
