Spring Feast

     On March 20th, on this bright and colorful day of spring, there is a fate; A kind heart; In order to help the development of the Zen Cultural Center, Mr. Lin Dexian devoted himself to paving the way and bridging the bridge for us. He used his body and mind to hold a "Spring Feast" at the "American Zen Cultural Center", invited the members of the Standing Committee of the Southern Canadian Chinese Federation and some overseas Chinese leaders to gather, and solemnly introduced the music practice of the Hong'an Tiantai Temple and the Guangxuan Art Troupe to the Chinese community. His spirit is commendable!

     Mr. Lin Dexian is a respected senior overseas Chinese leader in the United States. I was deeply impressed by Brother Lin, who is elegant, humorous, and has a great general style of kindness, love, and generosity. His specially customized spring banquet brewed into a banquet that combines Zen culture from the mysterious East with warm secular culture and art, announcing that a bright Zen culture flower will bloom in the American Garden of Thoughts, Culture, and Arts. This is the beginning of a new life of Buddhist art and natural health. Let's embrace this new ecological spiritual health life with open arms!

     Zhang Xueyuan, founder of the Zen Culture Center in the United States, and Shi Zhengxiao, co-founder of the Tiantai Temple in Hong'an, Hubei, respectively introduced the history and development plan of contemporary Zen.

     Tiantai Temple is located in the remote Tiantai Mountain in Qiliping Town, Hong'an County. It is named after the temple built at the foot of the main peak. Abbot Shi Wule, the abbot of Tiantai Temple, believes that "to change customs, one should not be good at music.". Therefore, the first Zen music troupe of all monks in the history of Chinese Buddhism, the Tiantai Temple Guangxuan Art Troupe, was established and unprecedented in the promotion of meditation with music, which is a significant inheritance and promotion of Zen in the contemporary era. As the practice method of the Tiantai monks, the monks achieve the goal of both internal and external cultivation by devoting themselves to practicing Zen music, clearing away the five desires and six dusts, and cultivating benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, and wisdom in the heart strings.

     Over the past few years, this group of young scholars who have received much attention have grown rapidly under the guidance of Abbot Shiwule. They have promoted Buddhism by displaying the beautiful art of Zen music, thereby improving the hearts and minds of society. They have faithfully implemented the relevant teachings advocated by Tiantai Temple, namely, "Holy Dharma Dharma, Become Buddha with Virtue, Concern for All sentient Beings, Have a Mind for the World, Harmonious Society, and Serve the Country", which has become a useful supplement for the country and society to educate the people. Their artistic performances are world-renowned and are expected to visit the United States in late May this year. As messengers of Zen cultural and artistic exchanges, they use their faith to promote people to the good, and use art to enlighten the mind and purify the soul.

      Peng Dan, a famous writer and president of the Federation of North American Writers' Associations, Fu Qingyu, the son of General Fu Lianzhang, Chen Huibi, chairman of the South Canadian Federation of Chinese Writers, and his leadership team, as well as some chamber chairmen, artists, and entrepreneurs, gathered together. It is particularly worth mentioning that Professor You Fangmin, who is 103 years old, also attended the dinner.

     At the spring banquet, in addition to delicious dishes, there is also a wealth of wine and fruit to enjoy, as well as a wealth of programs. In the atmosphere full of Zen, everyone feels the tranquility and peace of mind and body, and appreciates the charm of Zen culture.

     During the banquet, a national actor He Shufeng and her husband Fu Qingyu played two pieces of music together with Liu Dizi on traditional Chinese instruments, showcasing the harmony and beauty of national music to the fullest, making people intoxicated. This spring banquet not only gave everyone a taste of delicious food, but also watched wonderful programs, making people feel at home.

     Guests also took to the stage to showcase their talents, and the Spring Festival Dinner concluded successfully in a cheerful atmosphere.