(Clearwisdom.net)
Taiwan is the country with the most Falun Dafa practitioners after mainland China, and that's why it is selected most frequently to be the location where the international Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibitions are held. These exhibitions have provided a very good opportunity for the Taiwanese public to know Falun Dafa and understand the truth. Many Dafa practitioners who have been involved in the painting exhibition think it is great. Nearly 90% of the people who have visited the exhibition have changed their attitudes towards Falun Dafa in a good and positive way, and many people have begun practicing Falun Dafa.
However, we have also come to realize that the art exhibitions have not yet had the full influence they could have on arts circles and higher social statuses in Taiwan due to our own insufficient self-cultivation and understanding, which is what we must try our best to break through.
The following are some experiences that we would like to share with you.
1. Finding Appropriate Exhibition Venues
Practitioners have held a lot of exhibitions in Taiwan, but there has been a major problem: practitioners usually do not pay much attention to the appropriateness of the exhibition halls. Practitioners have been told again and again that the art exhibitions must be held in the best exhibition halls, because: (1) the best exhibition halls match the holiness of Dafa, and (2) the best halls will attract the mainstream society and draw the attention of the art community. But, the best exhibition halls require more work. There is usually a lot of paperwork, and the applications need to be reviewed and approved. The lists of reviewers are usually confidential, so that we cannot clarify the truth to them. Sometimes they don't give specific reasons for their rejection.
Due to these difficulties, some practitioners thought that if we wait for the better places, we would miss the chance to save sentient beings. Moreover, there are no good places for the exhibition in the remote areas. So, practitioners made the hangers for the art works, as well as the curtains, lights and other decorations for the exhibition hall. They tried their best to make the art works and the exhibition hall look attractive and professional. Sometimes, their efforts were successful. So, some practitioners said the exhibition hall is not an issue; as long as practitioners' xinxing levels are improved, we can hold the exhibition and save people in any place.
It is not wrong that practitioners try to save more people rather than wait. On the other hand, it is disrespectful to Dafa if we avoid the problems we need to solve, and are satisfied with holding many exhibitions in second-rate places. Master said in "Environment" (Essentials for Further Advancement):
"Think about it: Even people's claim that they have evolved from apes is able to be highly regarded. Yet with this great Dafa of the universe, you are embarrassed to give it a correct position--this is human beings' true shame."
There is a lot of ugly and distorted modern art in the art centers and exhibition halls. Ugly art, full of demon nature, is polluting people in the name of being "creative and liberal." But the Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance art exhibitions, which demonstrate brightness, purity and beauty, have been locked outside of the best exhibition halls. No matter what the reasons are, it is not acceptable. It is Dafa practitioners' responsibility to solve this problem.
Especially, our practitioners, who are professional artists, should focus on this problem. We have more background and influence than other practitioners to promote our artworks in the art community. Letting people realize and recognize the contents and value of the divine art is saving people. We need to keep our righteous thoughts when it comes to art. Dafa practitioners' artworks are rooted in the nature of universe, and are able to touch all beings, because Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is the base of all beings. Once the art community recognizes us positively, their own art level will be improved, and the issue of the exhibition hall will be resolved.
2．Improving Ourselves
Taiwan has a large population of Falun Gong practitioners. But they understand the Fa at many different levels. Some practitioners, who attended the 9-day lecture class and purchased the book but failed to continue studying Fa afterwards, came across the exhibition hall. (We thought it may have been arranged by Master.) After they viewed the paintings, they immediately understood the situation of Fa-rectification. They were moved to tears and decided to overcome their difficulties and join a group study and practice.
At first, many practitioners lacked confidence and kept silent at the exhibition hall even though they had attended training classes for being guides. But when the guides were not able to handle more and more visitors, they gathered up their courage to guide and speak up at the exhibitions. Gradually they gained experience and found it was not so difficult as they thought before. They told the visitors of the goodness of Dafa, and the cruelty of the persecution on Falun Gong, the great compassion and tolerance of practitioners in China, and Master's compassion. Sometimes they so touched the visitors and themselves that they were both moved to tears.
Different practitioners are touched by different artworks. Some see the work of "Buddha Statue" as if they meet Master in person; some understand the stage of three flowers on top of the head when seeing the piece "In Harmony"; some realize the atmosphere in Taiwan is too easy and comfortable when they see the painting "Tragedy in China"; some know they have not done enough in clarifying truth when they see the piece "Fulfilling Vows"; some understand the most pressing task at present - saving sentient beings - when they look at the painting of "Tears of Sadness and Joy."
We anticipated that the art exhibition would save ordinary people but not that it would also improve ourselves. Some reluctant practitioners finally entered the art exhibition hall. Afterward, some can walk out to clarify the truth face-to-face to strangers; some practitioners, who had almost vanished, can now take part in our local activities. We really feel the great compassion of Master Li, arranging the cultivation path for each practitioner.
3．Saving Sentient Beings
At first, a few practitioners doubted it would be acceptable to ordinary people to present the art exhibition with the major theme of: "Evil Persecution; the wrath of God and dissatisfaction of the people." But we think the title is effective because of these important facts. First, a lot of people do not know about the evil persecution at all; second, it does not only expose the evil, but also highlights the great compassion and tolerance of the practitioners in China and their awe-inspiring righteousness before the regime. At present many ordinary Chinese dare not stand up for the truth in order to protect their own interests. But practitioners testify to the saying "Overcome evil with greater good." Many visitors were touched by the spirit with which practitioners confronted such vital questions of life and death.
A businessman who has been investing in China for long time saw the art exhibition and then said sadly: "I was an accomplice because I acquiesced in the CCP dong things as it pleased." He thought the practitioners indeed were saving Chinese, greater than ancient Gods and Buddha in the past. It is beyond the range of human understanding or belief! Then he could not wait to bring his family to visit the exhibition.
Another businessman, who opened companies in both Taiwan and the mainland China, was looking extremely grave after seeing all the paintings. He said: "I did not imagine that such an evil persecution happened in China today! This is all too reminiscent of the Nazi oppression of the Jews."
Likewise, in the exhibits, Dafa practitioners used various ways to clarify the truth, to defend the truth and justice, which makes audiences realize we are not just asking for their sympathy towards Falun Gong practitioners. This is not only about the suffering of Falun Gong practitioners. It is about understanding Falun Gong, and not tolerating or cooperating with the CCP to commit crimes. They understand Dafa practitioners are not only helping those who are being persecuted in mainland China, but also saving the deceived Chinese people from the CCP's lies. We are awakening their kind nature.
We use exhibits to save sentient beings at different ages and from different classes. Once, an 8 or 9-year-old girl brought a younger girl to our exhibits and she explained to her the paintings, one by one. They went to see the first painting, "Buddha Statue." The older girl said, "This is Master." She showed the little one from the left to the right, saying, "Look, wherever you go, master is watching over you and protecting you." She then went to the second painting, "In Harmony," and said, "This is the painter, who is practicing Falun Gong on the beach." Next, they walked to the third painting, "The Pure Lotus." She pointed to the Falun, saying "This is a Falun". In front of the fourth painting, she said, "This is a lady who is stitching a Falun emblem on a banner." For each painting, she could say only one or two sentences, but she was able to catch the right point. In front of another painting she said, "This painting informs us to be a good people and good things will reward good deeds." Obviously, a practitioner's previous explanation helped her and now she could help others. We have seen many examples like this.
Some young men who had seen the exhibition brought their girlfriends. Some students brought their classmates; husbands brought wives; individuals brought their families and friends. They came and said, "I've seen all the paintings. Let me be an interpreter." To a large extent, we feel the power of Fa and Master's compassion. These kinds of people are awakening others with predestined relationships, and fulfilling their prehistoric promises.
At the exhibitions, Dafa practitioners also form a compassionate field, which helps each viewer to become a better person. A young lady, Miss Li, who works in a culture center, was known to be hard to get along with. Before the exhibition was even finished for the day, she would hurry the public out so she could go home earlier. But at one moment, there were still many people left, viewing the exhibits. To save these sentient beings, we didn't want to close, but because of her impatience, we had to rush to finish the exhibition.
Later, practitioners used every possible opportunity to clarify the truth to Miss Li. Day by day, we saw Miss Li change. Not long before, she couldn't wait to have the audience leave, but now she became very patient. She encouraged us to take our time explaining the paintings and said she can wait. She changed from complaining about everything around her to keeping other's welfare in mind. She started reading Zhuan Falun, and she also sent righteous thoughts together with practitioners. After many times of listening to practitioners' interpreting, she was able to help us when there was a large audience. She said, "I've been working in the gallery over 20 years, but I've never seen this kind of art show. There have been so many guides and so many audiences. I now understand why you are doing this." From this example, we once again understood clarifying the truth is like a master key.
4. Feedback
More and more artists attended the painting exhibition and spoke highly of the exhibition. For example, senior painter and art appraiser for the Tainan Arts Association Mr. Chen commented that some of the paintings in the Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibition are among the best he has seen in the 70 years of his painting career. The reasons are that some of the works include difficult to achieve details and the ideals expressed in the paintings are of an extremely high level and of great kindness. The theme was also very clear. Mr. Chen thinks that painters should attend the exhibition and that it will act as a profound inspiration for painters.
A famous painter Mr. Li, who's also a council member of the national exhibition executive committee, praised the exhibition: "Each of the pieces is a first-class painting, art of a high degree of technical proficiency and artistic crystallization. In Kaohsiung city and county, and even in Taiwan, works at such a level can be hard to find."
The section chief of visual arts of the Department of Cultural Affairs also spoke highly of the exhibition as "the best of visual arts." He also expressed that "In our society full of chaos, the exhibition has provided inspiration for truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance and positive values such as self-reflection. The exhibition should be promoted widely."
In fact, almost all those who attended believe that the exhibition has conveyed messages of justice and a bright future, as well as the idea that good and evil will receive their due. They believe that the exhibition can purify the soul, enhance ethics and increase the sense of justice. They also believe that the exhibition will help to lead society in the right direction.
Professor Zeng from Fine Arts Institute of the National Taiwan University of Arts, said: "This painting is very fine. It represents a very broad space of thinking. The artist can only paint [like this] after he has seen the scene ... so if this set of paintings were on display in China, then China will be saved. The works have exposed the Chinese Communist Party's inside secret, the truth has been told." Realistic sculptor Mr. Yan also made a special trip to look at the exhibition and said: "The life of each painting, in particular, facial expression has a very vivid, realistic rendition. It has expressed the deepest and most profound meanings; only the master level artist can achieve this."
Many artists who attended the exhibition expressed at the onset that they are painters and don't need any guidance in viewing the paintings. The practitioners, nevertheless, accompanied them and explained to them the intention, motivation and meaning of the paintings when the time was appropriate. They ended up explaining the whole exhibition. In the end, the attending artists would say: "Now I understand the meaning of your exhibition, thank you so much for your explanation!" Some other artists probably heard about the exhibition before they came, so they asked for the guided view when they arrived: "I want to listen about the motivation and the meaning of the paintings." This means that they want to learn the truth behind the paintings and the lives they represent want to learn the truth. After the practitioners' explanation, they all sincerely thanked the guide.
There was a senior couple, and after the practitioner's explanation, they said: "Our son was holding his personal painting exhibition. He attended your exhibition yesterday and told us it's excellent. He asked us to come to see it. It's great! Thank you!"
The exhibition also calls to people with predestined relationships. Several foreigners said, "It feels very warm and bright." After seeing the sculpture "Buddha," some said, "How come I feel I have predestined relationships with the Master Buddha, but I cannot describe it?" Many commented, "I feel the energy here is very strong but very peaceful." A lady couldn't help crying when she saw the piece "Vow." And "Call of Innocence" depicting a young girl's sincere appeal for help has truly reached out to a lot of people with predestined relationships.
One woman, when passing by the billboards of the exhibition, suddenly felt her whole body numbed with nameless shock. Although very busy, she said, she must also take a look at the exhibition and find out more about the exhibition. She listened to the truth in the brief description but before she left, she said: "I will come back! I will come back!
A couple came to attend the exhibition at the invitation of their colleague. At first they appeared detached and suspicious, keeping a distance from the practitioner who served as a guide. The practitioner patiently guided them through the paintings, telling them the facts of Falun Gong. The practitioner's sincere explanation warmed up their hearts. At the end of their visit, the husband said, "Not until today did I know what Falun Gong is. Your explanation of each painting is very good. The exhibition is very good. Thank you!"
After attending the exhibition, another visitor said, "I have often traveled abroad, seen your Falun Gong activities and demonstrations in many places in Australia and the U.S., and taken your leaflets which I haven't carefully read. Therefore, I had little understanding of Falun Gong. Not until I attended the exhibition and listened to your explanation did I really understand what Falun Gong is. I hope for an end to the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong. Please go on with your efforts. I will support you."
A Palace Museum culture volunteer who specializes in examining and appraising paintings came to the exhibition. On one of the paintings, "Silent Night", were the words, "Heaven Will Annihilate the CCP," and "Quitting the CCP Ensures Safety." The practitioner who helped with the explanation said, "It may be hard to explain the painting." Yet the museum volunteer said, "Not at all! It is very easy! In ancient times the power of an emperor was granted by gods. If an emperor mistreated his people, then gods would inflict his country with calamity and take away his granted power. The CCP has committed so many brutal and terrible crimes against its people. It is certain that Heaven will annihilate the CCP. The painting is very easy to understand." An ordinary person is able to thoroughly understand the inevitability of the CCP's annihilation. As a result, it is reasonable and right to quit the CCP to ensure safety.
Master used all methods to bring sentient beings to us. Since our time was limited, it was a serious test of how well and quickly we could tell people the facts about Falun Gong and enable them to have a further understanding of Falun Gong. When we were in a state of purity, Master would unfold our wisdom. In order to touch the hearts of viewers, we combined the beauty of the paintings with the truth of Falun Gong. The exhibition of paintings serves as a mechanism for telling the facts about Falun Gong. Practitioners were engaged in all parts of the exhibition from conception and creation of a painting by the painter to the coordination and preparation work for each exhibition to the explanations of volunteer guides who faced the viewers in person. Practitioners were thus involved in a huge whole body, all playing their role as a Fa particle. During the exhibition, there were endless stories to touch others every day; the practitioners involved also were given the opportunity to see deficiencies in their personal cultivation. Whichever part of the exhibition a practitioner took part in, he appeared to be merely devoting his time, but actually he was gaining something from his participation.
We would like to once again thank Master for all he has done for us, for sentient beings, and for the elevation of our personal cultivation. It is hard to express our appreciation in any human language.
