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Daily Chanting of Timeless Classics – Cultivation and Focus
Every day, Master Huimu solemnly recites the four most well-known and representative Buddhist scriptures: The Heart Sutra, The Diamond Sutra, The Amitabha Sutra, and The Universal Gate Chapter. Whether listened to or chanted along, these timeless teachings resonate with boundless wisdom and compassion.
The Diamond Sutra: A Path to Supreme Wisdom
The Sixth Patriarch Huineng once said, “The merit of reciting The Diamond Sutra is immeasurable.”
This text is considered the supreme teaching for those with great wisdom and insight, guiding practitioners to see beyond attachment and achieve liberation.
“All phenomena are like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, or a shadow. Thus should you view them.”
The Heart Sutra: 260 Words of Profound Wisdom
In just 260 characters, The Heart Sutra encapsulates the essence of Mahayana Buddhism's Prajñā wisdom.
Its brevity holds profound insight, serving as a vessel that carries sentient beings from suffering to enlightenment.
“When Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara was practicing deeply the Perfection of Wisdom, he clearly saw that the five aggregates are empty, thus relieving all suffering.”
The Amitabha Sutra: Guiding the Way to the Western Pure Land
Since the Sui and Tang dynasties, The Amitabha Sutra has been widely practiced in China, illustrating the pure and serene Western Pure Land.
The text teaches that sincere recitation of Amitabha's name can lead to rebirth in this pure land, far from the suffering of samsara.
“Whether for one day, two days, three days, or up to seven days, if one’s heart is unwavering, they will be born in Amitabha’s Pure Land.”
The Universal Gate Chapter: Avalokiteshvara’s Boundless Compassion
Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva is deeply revered in Mahayana Buddhism as a symbol of compassion and mercy.
The Universal Gate Chapter describes the thirty-two manifestations of Avalokiteshvara, appearing in various forms to aid those in need.
Regardless of the difficulty, those who call upon Avalokiteshvara's name find refuge and relief.
“If there are beings overwhelmed by lust, always recite and respectfully honor Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and they shall be freed from desire.”
The Song of the Three Jewels: A Chant of Refuge and Praise
The Three Jewels—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha—are the foundation of spiritual practice and the refuge of human life.
The Song of the Three Jewels is a widely cherished Buddhist hymn, expressed in a tone that is both simple and solemn.
It honors the awakened wisdom of the Buddha, the guiding truth of the Dharma, and the harmonious purity of the Sangha.
Often chanted during refuge ceremonies and group recitations, its melody carries deep emotional resonance.
“The Buddha is awakening, the Dharma is the path, the Sangha is the pure and harmonious community...”
As the chant flows, body and mind gently return to clarity, awakening faith and resting in present-moment awareness.
The Statue of Shakyamuni Emerging from the Mountains
The artist Huang Tu-shui(1895–1930) is recognized as the first sculptor in Taiwan’s modern history.
Born in Dadaocheng during the Japanese colonial period, he was nurtured by a vibrant commercial culture that shaped his keen artistic sensibilities and creative inspiration.
Though he lived only 36 years, Huang left a profound mark on the field of Buddhist art, becoming a pioneering figure in the localization of Taiwanese aesthetics.
To this day, his work continues to serve as a model for generations of artists.
The Origin of the Sculpture: A New Era in Buddhist Art
In 1926, upon the suggestion of poet Wei Qingde, the chief editor of Taiwan Minbao, Huang Tu-shui was commissioned to sculpt "Shakyamuni Emerging from the Mountains." He decided to donate this artwork to his hometown's Longshan Temple in Wanhua as a commemoration of its renovation. This piece not only represents Buddhist imagery but also stands as a new archetype of localized Taiwanese artistry.
The Creation Process: Three Years of Craftsmanship
Huang Tu-shui meticulously studied various depictions of Shakyamuni's journey from India, examining everything from bone structure to environmental settings. He based his sculpture on the famous Shakyamuni Emerging from the Mountains by Liang Kai of the Southern Song Dynasty, while also incorporating the physique of contemporary male models. The process of modeling, revising, and perfecting the design took three years, resulting in an exquisitely detailed wooden sculpture.
Artistic Style: Compassion and Wisdom in Form
This sculpture blends realism with humanistic expression, capturing Siddhartha's (Shakyamuni's) compassion and wisdom after enlightenment. His robes, carved to mimic the natural folds of fabric, drape gracefully over his form. The finely sculpted hair and beard convey natural movement, while his closed eyes and serene expression emanate boundless compassion. This piece symbolizes new beginnings, righteous paths, liberation, and hope, standing as a timeless representation of Buddhist art.
