Hiroshi Kanazawa's One-Day Zen Retreat × Love and Compassion Concert

The human voice is the simplest instrument—　

And also, the most sublime.

Since the Middle Ages, the West has skillfully employed the purity of the human voice—through chants and hymns—to purify and uplift the soul. The Gregorian Chant stands as its most iconic expression: sacred melodies rising within cathedral walls, layer upon layer, reaching heaven's ear and bridging the divine and the human. In the East, Master Hong Yi, a virtuoso of sacred sound, composed the beloved "Song of the Triple Gem," allowing music to carry the Dharma into countless hearts.

Whether through Buddhist chants in temples or sacred harmonies in churches, sound has long been a subtle yet profound medium—an unseen bridge between heaven, earth, and the human spirit.

Imagine this: a vocal concert held within the serene halls of an Eastern Buddhist temple. What kind of atmosphere would arise? What kind of music would be born, when the human voice interweaves with the scent of incense, the echoes of the Dharma bell, and the silence of contemplation?

Such wonder and anticipation stirred within the hearts of those who attended “In Search of the Depth of Sound”—a concert where sacred space and voice met in profound resonance.

In the gentle month of May, we arrived at Bodhisattva Temple in Taichung.

Within this serene and tranquil sanctuary, water flowed slowly, echoing softly in the stillness. The voice of Mr. Kanazawa Hiroshi—rich, warm, and full—resonated throughout the temple hall. His song rose before the Buddha, floating through incense-laced air. And in that embrace of sound and silence, it felt as though the stream no longer carried mere water—but a ceaseless current of love and compassion, flowing from the depths of the heart.

Bodhisattva Temple: Love Knows No Distance

This unique vocal concert was held at Bodhisattva Temple. Sister Yeh recalled that at the beginning, Master Cheng Hui-Chung wished to bring an electric piano into the main hall. “I immediately said, ‘Impossible.’” Yet Venerable Huiguang responded with a single word: “Possible.”

Though Venerable Huiguang was teaching in Hong Kong at the time, his support lit the path for this creative endeavor. Sister Yeh shared, “Whether in Hong Kong, Nepal, Japan, or Taiwan—love has no distance, and compassion knows no separation.”

During the rehearsal, Mr. Hiroshi Kanazawa was overcome with emotion and wept in remembrance of his late mother—a moment of raw, sincere beauty.

In the teachings of Buddhism, it is said, “All sentient beings have been our mothers.” Within the wheel of countless lifetimes, every soul may once have been our mother. This profound love we feel for our mother can thus be extended to all beings, becoming the great compassion that embraces all, even our enemies.

Sister Yeh offered a heartfelt blessing: “May Mr. Kanazawa sing not only with longing for his mother, but with the soft and silent blessings she left behind—carrying her love into every note and giving voice to compassion for all who suffer.”

Connecting with the Beloved Through Song

Mr. Hiroshi Kanazawa spoke of his connection with this concert, tracing it back to the garment he wore—a handcrafted cloth outfit. Years ago, drawn to the purity of natural fabrics, he encountered Hui-Chung Clothing and came to know Master Cheng Hui-Chung. Captivated by the simplicity and comfort of these clothes, he grew fond of Taiwan itself, making frequent visits between Japan and Taiwan. He even dreams of one day living in Taiwan, to continue his life’s journey in singing and music education.

Touching the cloth with a smile, he recalled, “It’s hard to find clothes that fit my body and my taste. But Master Hui-Chung said, ‘No problem. I’ll tailor it for you.’ That made me so happy.”

On September 15, 2015, before his concert in Tokyo, the TAIWAN TOGO team traveled from Taiwan to support him in person. Then, on May 12, 2018, seventeen of his students journeyed from Japan to attend this meaningful concert at Bodhisattva Temple in Taichung.

Mr. Kanazawa’s music reflects a natural and unembellished style—no formal tuxedo, but a flowing blue robe with loose black trousers, exuding ease and authenticity. The entire performance was unplugged, without a microphone, accompanied only by a simple electric piano. His voice, in its purest form, reached the hearts of the audience, broadcast live in its unfiltered beauty—an embodiment of his profound musical mastery.

During rehearsal, he shared the emotional motivation behind his song selection: “For someone who has loved singing since childhood, my mother was my greatest support.” Yet tragically, when he began singing on stage at 17, she had already passed. She never heard him sing. This loss remained a deep sorrow in his heart.

As a tribute, he always includes her favorite songs in every performance—offering them both to her spirit and to the audience. This concert, held on the eve of Mother’s Day, resonated with universal emotion. Whether our mothers are still beside us or have returned to the stars, each listener felt a tender connection. Through his voice, we all reconnected with the gentle strength of motherly love.

The Heart Sutra: A Musical Offering of Eternal Love

The first half of the concert unfolded with six beloved Japanese folk songs, each a tender invocation of a mother's love, familial affection, and the longing for one's homeland. As Hiroshi Kanazawa’s voice gently guided the audience through the lyrics—telling of a mother and child traveling by carriage—each listener seemed to return to their own spiritual homeland, nestled once again in a mother’s embrace.

“When the moon sets and crows cry, dream shadows flicker—do you remember the past? Half a life of sorrow and joy now quietly slips away. The love of a mother endures eternally...”

As Kanazawa sang Farewell and Dream—two musical pieces composed by Master Hong Yi—emotions surged. The hall swelled with silent tears, the sound of song stirring the heart’s deepest places.

The second half of the concert became a sacred rite: the chanting and teaching of the Heart Sutra. With heartfelt composition and reverence, Kanazawa offered his original Japanese melody for the sutra. The timeless words of transcendent wisdom—transmitted for centuries—flowed forth through his voice, guiding all beings toward the distant shore of enlightenment.

“Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, while practicing the profound Prajñāpāramitā, clearly saw the five aggregates as empty, and thus was freed from all suffering and distress…”

As the Heart Sutra echoed through the temple, audience members stepped forward, one by one, to light lamps before the Buddha, dedicating their merit to loved ones—those remembered and those still cherished.

Through this melodic recitation, we gently bid farewell to those we love. Yet in parting, a new reunion begins.

There is no sorrow in this farewell, for we shall all reach the eternal shore together. Death becomes a sacred dance when love once joined our hands. Love remains eternal—death, merely a passing separation.

“Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form; form itself is emptiness, and emptiness itself is form…”

In death, there is birth; in parting, reunion. We are destined to return together to the farther shore of the heart.

“No ignorance, nor end of ignorance… no old age and death, nor end of old age and death…”

The Heart Sutra resounds without end, as do love and compassion—unceasing and boundless.

Kanazawa’s encore piece was Memory from the Broadway musical Cats.

A song of reminiscence—it marked not just the end of memory, but the dawning of a new day.

Within this sacred concert, we offered prayers for the departed while embracing new life.

With pure, sacred voice, Kanazawa led us—like Grizabella—on the heavenly path: a journey of purification and transcendence, until song itself reached the Divine. Through death, life was transfigured and reborn.

“The human voice is the simplest of instruments—and the most wondrous.” Though trained in classical vocal tradition, Kanazawa believes that the most beautiful music comes from the heart, resonating with sincerity.

After the concert, renowned Taiwanese artist Winnie Hsin (Hsu Ching-chun) offered her homage and sang a touching Taiwanese folk song about mothers.

Kanazawa later reflected: “As our eyes met and we sang together, I knew at once—Ms. Hsu possesses not only a beautiful voice, but also a profound, sincere emotion for music. That sincerity is the essence of all great music.”

A Harmonious Weaving of Emotion and Art

At forty-five, Hiroshi Kanazawa has lived every single day immersed in music since he began singing at the age of ten. “Music isn’t just the center of my life—it is my entire life.”

A pivotal moment in his musical journey came when he met world-renowned vocal coach Adrienne Angel, often described as “the finest voice teacher in the world.” It was through her that Kanazawa discovered the true quality of his own voice and singing technique. Her encouragement became a spiritual anchor—her recognition empowered him to take to the stage with greater confidence and grace.

He recalls vividly the day they met. “I had worked so hard to be admitted to her masterclass. When I finally got in, I was so excited. Each student had to sing before her. Most were stopped after just a few lines. But when it was my turn—she let me finish the entire piece.”

After he sang, she asked, “Why are you here? You don’t need this class. What are you doing here?”

Kanazawa was stunned. At first, he thought he had disappointed her. But in truth, her words were praise—his years of disciplined training had finally been affirmed by a true master.

Since then, they have stayed in close contact. Adrienne Angel became more than a mentor—she became a maternal figure, offering unwavering support and warmth. Every new performance, every milestone—including this concert at Bodhisattva Temple—he shares with her. She rejoices with him from afar, proud of his growth.

Though decades of practice have honed his technique to near-perfection, Kanazawa believes the truest music arises from the heart. “Only a voice born of genuine feeling is truly beautiful.”

And in his own words: “The finest performance is that which fuses emotion and artistry into one.”

The Depth of Voice Arises from Its Origin

Hiroshi Kanazawa’s musical path began in the vibrant world of Broadway, where he trained relentlessly, refining his vocal techniques through the demanding rigors of musical theater. Yet in the fullness of time, he shed the ornate layers of performance, returning to the primal purity of the human voice—his concerts now a sanctuary of unamplified, natural sound, unveiling the essence of celestial music through his very breath.

Just as overtone singing and khoomei—long revered among scholars of ethnomusicology and global music—have revealed the mystical layers hidden in human resonance, so too does Kanazawa’s art arise from a place unburdened by artifice. The fewer the fetters, the greater the convergence of energy; the greater the release, the freer the spirit.

To seek the “thickness” of sound is to journey home—to the birthplace of voice, where song was once prayer and breath, a bridge to the heavens. Among the steppes and vast skies of Tuva and Mongolia, or the mountain chants of Taiwan’s indigenous people, these voices did not entertain—they offered awe back to the cosmos.

In this sacred simplicity lies a subtle difficulty: only a voice with true depth can move the soul. And it is this very moving, vibrating force of voice that Kanazawa tirelessly pursues in his musical devotion.

During this concert, he also generously shared his vocal wisdom, teaching the essentials of healthy voice production. True singing, he says, rests on three steps: vocal warm-up, proper posture, and correct breathing. Of these, the final two are foundational—anchors that preserve both voice and vitality.

Beyond the stage, Kanazawa’s greatest joy is found in teaching. His students range in age from ten to eighty, and to each, he imparts the same heartfelt guidance: how to sing with freedom, health, and grace.

He warns that many celebrated singers have unknowingly harmed their voices through improper technique, ending careers too soon. Correct vocal practice, however, brings not only longevity in music but wellness in body and soul.

“A healthy voice belongs to a healthy heart,” he shares. “Only when the body and spirit are in harmony can song truly bloom. Singing itself, done with right technique, is a path of healing—a way to nourish life.”

Perhaps it is no wonder that his revered teacher, Adrienne Angel, continues to teach at the vibrant age of ninety—her vitality preserved by decades of mindful, correct vocal practice. She often urges Kanazawa to share this knowledge with the world, that more souls may sing joyfully, healthfully, and beautifully.

Together, they carry this vow—a sacred duet of devotion—to awaken the song within all beings.

Finale・Resonance

A month after the concert had quietly come to a close, heartfelt reflections and messages from Hiroshi Kanazawa and his companions began to flow in from Japan—soft echoes of a sacred evening that lingered long after the final note. A Bond Beyond Borders — Where Souls Meet Across Nations

By Kanazawa Makoto (Father of Hiroshi Kanazawa)

The concert held at Bodhisattva Temple in Taichung was a deeply moving day—solemn, grand, and full of harmony. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the organizers, co-organizers, and every guest who came to be part of this sacred event.

All of this unfolded through the mysterious ties between hearts—a karmic bond that transcends borders. As my son once said, it all began from his desire to try on the garments designed by Master Cheng. Their encounter—between a passionate artist of cultural depth and a voice actor of musical theatre—set in motion a sequence of beautiful encounters. Master Cheng's team even flew to Japan to attend my son’s concert and later arranged a recording session for him in Taiwan.

I believe Master Cheng’s intention is to keep the spirit of culture and art from fading. She ensures it is seen and felt, and passed on to the next generation. This concert was born of that unwavering will.

Guests gathered from across Taiwan, and many came from Japan—students of my son, his sister, his aunt, and myself included.

Although it was a solo concert, I am certain that everyone present at Bodhisattva Temple was profoundly moved by the sincerity and emotional depth carried by his voice.

The songs dedicated to his mother and the musical rendition of the Heart Sutra, both composed at the request of Ms. Yeh of the temple, transported me beyond myself. When the whole audience joined in singing the Heart Sutra, the atmosphere soared to its highest. The organizers have already proposed holding another concert next year—how grateful we are. Ms. Yeh has even suggested future opportunities in the fields of education and healing.

To see my son’s voice become a bridge connecting so many hearts—nothing brings greater joy to a parent.

May this karmic bond continue to grow, deepening and spreading far and wide. My deepest thanks to Master Cheng, to Ms. Yeh, and to all.

A Profound Resonance　　　　　　　　

By Rie Kanazawa (Younger sister of Hiroshi Kanazawa)

Though it was my first visit to Bodhisattva Temple, it felt strangely familiar—a place that stirred my heart. Dressed in the soft, flowing garments made by Master Cheng, listening to my brother’s voice in Taiwan—it was a moving, unforgettable day.

From childhood, my brother’s singing has always stirred something deep within me. His voice, like a tuning fork of the soul, resonated with mine.

There is one song he dedicates to a woman with braids who once cared for him during a trip to Milan. She once said to him, “I once dreamed of becoming a vocalist.” That simple confession stayed with him, lingering in his heart, touching him each time he remembers.

I hope that, in his beloved Taiwan and under the guidance of the teacher he respects deeply—Master Cheng—my brother will have more opportunities to sing for the people of Taiwan.

With deep gratitude to Master Cheng and to all the friends who support my brother—thank you.

The Most Precious Gift

By Sumiyo Yokoyama

It was a great blessing to attend Mr. Kanazawa’s first concert in Taiwan—an occasion deeply etched in memory. Simply being able to visit such a beautiful country as Taiwan filled me with joy. And within the solemn embrace of the temple, wearing the beautiful clothing prepared by Master Cheng Hui-Chung, surrounded by kind-hearted Taiwanese friends, listening to Mr. Kanazawa’s voice—this happiness lingers even now.

During this journey, I received many precious gifts. But the most sacred of all was the chanting of the Heart Sutra by Mr. Kanazawa. On the day of the concert, we chanted the Heart Sutra together several times, and its melody engraved itself into my heart. It became the most precious gift of all.

I truly hope I may one day meet my friends in Taiwan again. When we took the group photo at the end, the Taiwanese friend standing beside me gently held my hand—a gesture so warm, I still smile when I remember it.

Energy That Transcends Time and Space

By Asako Moroyama

I have attended all of Mr. Kanazawa’s concerts since 2004. Yet this one at Bodhisattva Monastery felt different. Before the performance even began, the atmosphere was unlike the usual intensity—there was a profound sense of calm, gentleness, and warmth. I could feel the generous welcome from our Taiwanese friends.

After returning to Japan, whenever I wear the clothing prepared by Master Cheng, imbued with the spirit of the concert and Mr. Kanazawa’s voice, something miraculous happens. No matter how busy life gets, my heart naturally finds peace. Unconsciously, I begin to recite the Heart Sutra.

Since coming back from Taiwan, I have encountered many people in need of help—and I believe these encounters are not coincidences.

Thank you.

A Cleansing Touch to Body, Mind, and Soul

By Keiko Nakata

Bodhisattva Monastery was unlike the temples I had imagined—it felt contemporary, yet so close to daily life, so deeply human.

Seated in the front row of the grand hall, I looked into the compassionate eyes of the Buddha before me, and it felt as though my soul was being gently purified.

As Mr. Kanazawa began to sing heartfelt Japanese ballads, tears welled up in my eyes. When we chanted the Heart Sutra together, it felt as though my entire being—body, mind, and soul—was cleansed and renewed.

This was my first visit to Taiwan, and I was deeply moved by the warmth and sincerity of the Taiwanese people. I also came to feel that something essential—something we Japanese may have forgotten—still lives on here.

I am truly grateful for this precious experience.

A Song for My Mother on Mother’s Day

By Hideko Kuroki

On May 13, 2018, I attended a concert at Bodhisattva Monastery in Taichung, Taiwan. When Mr. Kanazawa performed his own composition of the Heart Sutra, he invited us to join in the final chant. In that moment, I felt as though we had all become one—breathing, singing, and praying as one heart.

What was I praying for? Earlier in the concert, Mr. Kanazawa sang a Japanese song called Mama, in honor of the upcoming Mother’s Day. That song resonated deeply within me. Knowing that Mr. Kanazawa lost his mother in his teenage years, I was moved when he sang through tears. It felt as though that song reconnected us with the loved ones we had lost…

I once heard that in Chinese tradition, during Qingming Festival, the souls of the departed return. I believe that on Mother’s Day, our longing reaches them too.

My mother passed away on May 5, 2009. In Japanese custom, we hold memorials on the 3rd, 7th, and 13th years. Though time has passed, and I never forget her, I hadn’t spoken to her heart-to-heart in recent years.

When she was young, she trained in sewing at a temple and often recited the Heart Sutra. Even in her old age, she continued to chant it.

There’s something mysterious about voice—unlike a mental image, a voice can bring someone back with vivid clarity. I often hear my mother’s voice in my heart.

As I sat in the serene hall of the monastery and listened to Mama, I felt I could almost hear her again… as if I could reach out and take her hand once more.

When we repeated the chant—“Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha”—I found myself whispering, “Mother, are you here? Are you singing with me…?”

After the concert, as I tied my prayer tag to the tree, my heart overflowed with gratitude: “Mother, thank you. I know you’re here with me.”

Thank you to everyone who made this gentle, soul-stirring experience possible.

A Beautiful Bond Between “Cloth” and “Song”

By Hiroshi Kanazawa

First and foremost, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for having had the opportunity to hold my very first concert in Taiwan.

Though I had long held an interest in Taiwan, what finally brought me here was—Master Cheng’s clothing.

I was introduced to Master Cheng’s garments through a book by Mr. Matsuura Yataro. The moment I saw the photographs, I was stunned. “How can clothing be so beautiful, so philosophical?” I thought. Ever since, I longed to visit Taiwan, to see these clothes in person.

Thanks to a fortunate introduction from Mr. Matsuura, I was able to visit Master Cheng’s studio in Taiwan. Each piece of clothing moved me deeply. Since then, I’ve purchased them little by little, and now I can no longer imagine my life without Master Cheng’s creations.

What began as an encounter through clothing, evolved into a partnership where Master Cheng and her team have helped realize every aspect of my concerts—production, design, even the creation of booklets. It became a co-creation of art.

Once, Master Cheng said to me, “I live for others. Buddhism and art must merge for the sake of our shared future.”

Through clothing and through song, we both live for something greater than ourselves. Music cannot exist in isolation. It must be shared. It is only through collaboration and giving that we truly experience joy and build the future.

And so, through this karmic connection and the kind support of Bodhisattva Monastery, this concert came into being.

In early November 2017, I visited the monastery for the first time.

The purity of the space deeply moved me. It gently shattered the conventional Japanese image of what a temple should be. Here, I felt a real heart beating.

The main hall would serve as the concert venue—a sacred space. I was nervous.

Ms. Yeh from the monastery suggested I compose a melody for the Heart Sutra, to be sung together with everyone.

What an exhilarating idea!

But alongside the excitement came a trembling of the soul.

I decided in my heart—I would surrender myself to the generous spirit of Master Cheng, and to the vast, gentle current of Buddhism I felt flowing through the monastery.

As long as my music could bring beauty to those who helped me, I knew everything would be alright.

Back in Japan, I began composing. At first, I struggled. The more I delved into the Heart Sutra, the more overwhelmed I became.

Each character was heavy with meaning. I rewrote the melody again and again. Before I knew it, it was already 2018.

One day, while working alone in the recording studio, it came to me—

The Heart Sutra is a dialogue between the Bodhisattva and Shariputra.

It is not merely text, it is a sacred conversation…

That’s it! This is an opera. A musical.

In Christianity, sacred music is sung to praise God.

I was trained in Western vocal music—a world built on praise.

Why not render the Heart Sutra as a Buddhist libretto and infuse it with the spirit of Western musical exaltation?

At that moment, music seemed to descend from the heavens. Melodies began flowing through my mind.

On May 11, I traveled to Taiwan with my students, fans, and family.

Everyone was dressed in Master Cheng’s creations—smiling, radiant. The image remains etched in my heart.

That evening, we had our final rehearsal at the monastery.

As I sang, I was filled with gratitude for everyone who had worked so hard behind the scenes.

Then came the meeting, led by Ms. Yeh and the entire staff—a moment I will never forget.

I shared memories of my mother, and how I always dedicate a piece in each concert to her.

Her name was written in the hall that night, so she could join us in spirit.

And in that instant, everything felt complete.

On the day of the concert, my heart was clear and still—like a cloudless blue sky. There was no nervousness, no doubt. I sang as if I were at home.

Though I sang in Japanese, I believe the energy transcended language and reached everyone.

As I sang old Japanese songs, hymns by Master Hongyi, and finally the Heart Sutra, the hall became enveloped in an otherworldly atmosphere.

My honest voice met the hearts of the audience—and their hearts, in turn, flowed back to me. I felt an invisible current of connection.

The most moving part was singing the Heart Sutra together, offering light to the Buddha with candles.

At the end, Ms. Yeh said, “Let’s hold this concert again next year.” Her words filled me with joy.

This entire experience was a wellspring of joy and a doorway to another world.

I hope to return and sing again with my beloved friends in Taiwan.

This is my life’s work.

Finally, I wish to thank Master Cheng, her team, Ms. Yeh, the monks and volunteers at Bodhisattva Monastery…

And to Mr. Tsai Jin-Hung for helping me with the language barrier, and Mr. Tetsuya Takahashi for supporting my artistic journey over the years—thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you. Truly.

In the serene and tranquil space of Bodhisattva Monastery, water flows gently, and the ancient, profound essence of the Dharma silently permeates the minimalist beauty of this contemporary concrete sanctuary. Recalling that concert, Mr. Hiroshi Kanazawa’s rich and resonant voice lingered through the halls, echoing before the Buddha in graceful reverence. The waters kept flowing softly, as if what surged forth in that sacred moment was none other than an unceasing stream—of love, and of compassion…

IBS Bodhisattva Monastery – International Bodhisattva Sangha

A single dawn of wind and moon opens into ten thousand miles of sky.

The weathered plum-stone before the mountain gate, through the silent seasons, speaks wordlessly of profound interdependence.

Let us return to the home of the Bodhisattva together—following the footsteps of the Buddha, seeking the truths at the heart of life.

Rely on oneself, rely on the Dharma—seek no other refuge. Address｜ No. 147, Yonglong Rd., Dali District, Taichung City, Taiwan

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