(Clearwisdom.net)

The Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibit has been held over 200 times in 40 countries across five continents. It arrived in Yingge, a scenic town, known as the center of Taiwan's ceramics industry, for a nine-day exhibition between April 25 and May 3, 2009. The display showcases paintings from 12 Falun Gong artists from around the world. The artists express the wonders of Falun Gong and the horrors of the persecution in exquisite works of art that have been highly praised the world over.


Members of the public reading about the exhibit

Approximately 20 local dignitaries attended the April 25th opening including.

Zhang Jinhua: The world is more beautiful because of forbearance

Ms. Zhang Jinhua, New Sancai Culture Association chair and professor at the Graduate Institute of Journalism at National Taiwan University was the first to speak at the opening ceremony. She thanked the guests for coming to appreciate the beautiful message in the paintings. She commented, "April 25th is a special day; the sun has come out, and the world will get better. The world is more beautiful because we endure. Artists who persist in the truth and their compassion for others have already transcended hatred."

She explained that the Chinese Communist Party began persecuting Falun Gong for ten years, yet Falun Gong is growing ever more popular. Ms. Zhang called on everyone to step forward and support the values of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance, so the world will be a better place. She also shared the personal stories of health and vigor and other wonders of Falun Gong.

Chen Xuanmo: bring Truth-Compassion-Forbearance back to school


Mr. Chen Xuanmo, Jianan Elementary School principal

Surrounded by mountains and blessed with a lively brook, Jianan Primary School has won the title "Green School" many times under the leadership of principal Chen Xuanmo. He was profoundly touched by the paintings, "It's the greatest feat to lead children toward truth and goodness; it's critically important to guide the next generation in the right direction."

He stated that there is a story of pursuit behind each painting--the pursuit of the highest values; Truth-Compassion-Forbearance. "Truthfulness is beautiful. We shall always keep a most sincere mind when being with friends. A kind heart/mind is beautiful. Perhaps we need to better understand the true meaning of forbearance. We will be better people when we achieve all three. As a school principal, I will bring this truth back to my campus."

Renowned painter: I will bring students to the exhibit every day


Renowned painter Lin Zhenyang

Renowned painter Lin Zhenyang teaches art at Yingge Middle School. He expressed his pursuit of realism saying, "Obtaining truth is my lifelong goal." He arranged for his students to visit the Truth-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibit on a daily basis. His comments, after seeing all the paintings: "Truth-Compassion-Forbearance are very good, very upright principles. This profit-driven society has polluted people's innate goodness, but seeing paintings like these will touch people's minds/hearts. He stated he would bring more students to the exhibit, so Truth-Compassion-Forbearance can take root in their young hearts and minds. By viewing the exhibit they will also discover the atrocities the CCP has committed.

Chairman of the Lifeline Association: cultivating one's mind as well as one's body is admirable

Liu Sanxiong, principal of Sanxia Chengfu Primary School - comments on a Shen Yun performance:

Liu Sanxiong, principal of Sanxia Chengfu Primary School, and Wang Bingsheng, Chairman of the Lifeline Association said they were profoundly touched by Divine Performing Arts and thought the show was magnificent. They came to the exhibition's opening ceremony to express their respect. Liu Sanxiong said forbearance means being respectful and considerate toward others. Mr. Liu quoted Confucius, "He who practices virtue will have neighbors." He believed Falun Dafa would be openly practiced in China some day.


Wang Bingsheng, Chairman of the Taipei Lifeline Association

Wang Bingsheng, Chairman of Taipei Lifeline Association said he studied Falun Gong in-depth and realized that Falun Gong practitioners not only cultivate their bodies but also their minds, which is admirable. He pointed out that the Communist Party launched the persecution ten years ago out of fear, similar to the massacre in 1989, as the Party was eager to disintegrate any force seen as a threat to its power. "More than 100 million people were practicing Falun Gong, and they knew Falun Gong was good, so they spread the word. The Party was terrified, so it commenced the persecution."

Wang Yongjie: all people should condemn the Communist Party for its brutal persecution


Wang Yongjie, Yingge Town Friendship Association Chair; and Huang Fuchun's comment
Wang Yongjie, Chairman of Yingge Town Friendship Association stated such a poignant art exhibit being held in Yingge is a very positive thing. Huang Fuchun, Chairman of the Yingge Town Representatives Association added, "The Communist Party treats citizens with such barbarity! All people in the world should condemn the Party!"

Visitors listen to the curator explaining the art works

The exhibit's sponsor, the Falun Dafa Association, chose three paintings for an unveiling and invited guests to do the honors. These three paintings won awards at New Tang Dynasty's Oil Painting Competition: "A Tragedy in China;" "Solemnity" and "Innocence." Curator Zhou Yixiu who earned a master's degree from University of Paris' Art Department and currently teaches art at Jianguo Middle School explained the stories behind the paintings and the messages they are trying to convey.

The Divine Land Marching Band and several other brightly costumed groups led a parade after the opening ceremony.

People watch the parade

Such a grand procession is a rare sight in the old, small town. Tourists as well as local residents, including business owners along the route stopped to watch the colorful formation. Several tourists enthusiastically pored over the exhibition flyer, and a few right away walked to the exhibition hall.

Tourist Mr. Zhen said, "I'm not from here, I'm just visiting. I heard there's an art exhibit, so I went inside to check it out. I think it's great!" He recalled seeing Falun Gong practitioners doing the exercises when he went mountain climbing or strolling in the park. When asked whether he knew about the persecution he sighed and said, "I know they [Falun Gong practitioners] have been suppressed pretty severely."

Mr. Liu and his girlfriend Liao were in Yingge on vacation. He commented, "We saw someone handing out flyers, so we came to see the art exhibit...I heard about Falun Gong before, but I didn't know too much about it. Their explanation and the paintings have increased my understanding of Falun Gong." He thinks well of the practice and stated the methods used to torture the practitioners depicted in the paintings are ruthless, "I saw people practicing Falun Gong when I went to Sun Moon Lake. Taiwan is different from Mainland China; Taiwan is a free place!"

A group lingered at the exhibit and did not want to leave. The reporters discovered them to be tourists from Los Angeles who are visiting relatives in Taiwan. Mr. Chen said, "We all saw the paintings. They are wonderful! We also heard of this while in the USA because there were Truth-Compassion-Forbearance art exhibits in America, but we didn't have time to see any then. We saw the art pieces today, and they are awesome!" Mr. Chen acknowledged knowing about the persecution and stated that everyone is entitled to freedom of belief.

Mr. Lu, the exhibition's host, said, "This is the first time for me acting as a host. Although I'm very nervous, it means a lot to me to participate in this kind of event. I watched the Shen Yun Performing Arts Chinese New Year Spectacular in Taipei in February this year. The program included the "Miraculous Exhibit," that tells the story of a young man whose broken arm was healed after he learned Falun Gong, and the tremendous physical and spiritual improvements he experienced. The art exhibit can inspire one's good nature; it's truly magnificent in that way."