(Clearwisdom.net) "I was born in 1917. I have seen countless numbers of Buddha statues in temples since I was young. But it is the first time I have seen such a compassionate Buddha statue! Indeed! Look at the facial expression..." Ninety-one-year-old Mr. Seol stood in front of the artwork "Buddha Statue" for a long time with his hands pressed together in front of his chest.
Buddha Statue
Mr. Seol became a Buddhist when he was young. Three words on a poster, "Truth-Compassion-Forbearance," caught his attention at a train station one day. The poster told about the Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition at the Busan Cultural Center from September 4 to 15, 2009. Mr. Seol kept exclaiming as he studied the artwork, saying that he hoped he would be able to see the exhibition again in the future. When he heard the artists were Falun Gong practitioners. Mr. Seol said, "Yes, one couldn't have created such artwork without a pure heart. Not every artist would be able to this."
There was a steady stream of visitors to the exhibition.
Busan is the second largest city in Korea. This was the tenth Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition to be held in Busan. The show attracted many people interested the arts, culture, and politics.
President of the Busan Art Society Mr. Choi Sang Yoon
President of the Busan Art Society Mr. Choi Sang Yoon visited the exhibition on the first day and said, "I sincerely appreciate what these artists have sacrificed to save others!" In his opinion the artwork reflected the basic human moral issues and were examples of true art. "There are usually three basic types of techniques. One can tell with the first glance that these artworks guide the viewer to pursue justice, they call out through art and best unfold the true meaning of art...I am very moved. There was one moment I seemed almost to have stopped breathing. I was so shaken that I was frozen."
Mr. Song, Busan Art Association Branch Director
Mr. Song, Busan Art Association Branch Director, said he was surprised to see the artwork, which not only exposed the pain the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) inflicted upon innocent Falun Gong practitioners, but also showed the compassion of the practitioners. He said, "It is surprising to see the compassion in these artworks despite such hardships."
People from all walks of life visited the exhibition. The exhibition hall was filled with people on the weekends. Many visitors left messages in the guest book. Mr. Cho wrote, "Thank you for the heart-purifying artwork! I pray that the light of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance will brighten society!"
Because of the large number of visitors, the exhibition was extended by two days. The Mayor of Busan and government officials from different districts visited the exhibition on Monday, September 14. They gained new understandings of Falun Gong and saw the CCP atrocities through the art exhibition.
