Passing the Lamp for Sixty Years, Looking Up for a Century — Master Hsing Yun (星雲大師) One-Stroke Calligraphy Commemorative Special Exhibition

In coordination with the relocation of Fo Guang Shan Huitung Temple to its new site, the Taichung Gallery, the 17th branch of Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery worldwide, is holding its inaugural exhibition. At the opening of this new gallery, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the founding of Fo Guang Shan and the centenary of Master Hsing Yun’s birth, the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery Headquarters has specially planned the inaugural exhibition "Passing the Lamp for Sixty Years, Looking Up for a Century — Master Hsing Yun One-Stroke Calligraphy Commemorative Special Exhibition," looking back at the Master’s life-long compassionate vows to propagate Humanistic Buddhism. This exhibition also marks the first public display of "One-Stroke Calligraphy" in Taiwan since Master Hsing Yun’s passing, making it exceptionally precious.
This exhibition is divided into five main sections: "Widely Forming Good Affinities," "Humanistic Buddhist Affinities: Looking Up for a Century," "Harmonious Coexistence," "Success in the Year of the Horse," and "Writing Spring Couplets Every Year." It showcases Master Hsing Yun’s "One-Stroke Calligraphy" works, supplemented by manuscripts, letters, historical images, calligraphy seals, sculptures, and carvings, totaling 183 items/sets. It completely presents the Master’s life trajectory of integrating Dharma into daily life and forming affinities with all beings through art.

One of the exhibition highlights is the precious work of the Heart Sutra (心經) written by Master Hsing Yun at the age of 85, overcoming hand tremors, deteriorating vision, and mobility issues, spanning 66 hanging scrolls. Notably, he wrote the title of the sutra as "one sheet, two characters," creating a unique opening. Curator Venerable Ru Chang (如常法師) pointed out that the Master intentionally left white space between the lines of the scripture to make the pauses for recitation clearer, demonstrating his thoughtfulness for all beings and his skillful means. This style of writing is also extremely rare in the history of Chinese calligraphy and holds profound artistic and religious significance.

The exhibition content, through its five main sections, presents the spiritual essence of Master Hsing Yun’s propagation of Humanistic Buddhism through calligraphy. From the wisdom of forming affinities with a single virtuous thought to the propagation journey of Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) across five continents; from advocating respect and tolerance and practicing the vision of harmonious coexistence in the human world to encouraging the world to seize opportunities and act bravely using zodiac philosophy; and by writing spring couplets every year, transforming blessings and culture into daily life. The exhibition not only reviews the Master's important footprints in propagating the Dharma in Central Taiwan but also demonstrates the profound influence of his use of ink and brush to save sentient beings and his compassion and wisdom to illuminate the world.

Master Hsing Yun encouraged us to "not forget our initial heart" (不忘初心) to guard our initial virtuous thoughts and aspirations; only through perseverance can we move forward to completion on the path of life. Master Hsing Yun once said: "If 'One-Stroke Calligraphy' has any value, it is only by virtue of a heart that forms affinities with others and gives them joy." Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery sincerely invites the public to walk into the Taichung Gallery to feel the Master's compassionate blessings across eras within the ink and brush, and to bring the Dharma wisdom and warm power contained in "One-Stroke Calligraphy" back into their lives.