Fo Guang Shan Chicago hosted a special cultural lecture featuring Ms. Loretta Yang, the pioneer of modern Liuli (glass) art and founder of “LIULIGONGFANG.” The lecture, titled “Cultural Creativity: Creating Something from Nothing,” attracted over 100 guests, including Director-General Yen-Feng Lei of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago and Director Chi-Ying Tsai of the Culture Center of TECO in Chicago, for a profound feast of art and wisdom.
Ms. Yang shared her transformative journey from a celebrated acting career to the world of Liuli art, articulating the core philosophy of her brand: “To continuously create works that benefit the human heart.” Reflecting on her experiences of “creating something from nothing, and eventually manifesting the wonderful,” she demonstrated the infinite possibilities of cultural innovation, emphasizing that history and culture can only thrive through constant renewal.
Regarding the origin of the brand name, Ms. Yang mentioned that “LIULIGONGFANG” was inspired by the Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi’s verse: “Colorful clouds scatter easily, and Liuli is fragile,” which speaks to the precious and impermanent nature of Liuli art. She recalled the bottlenecks and challenges of her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the importance of following causes and conditions. She also shared her profound connection with Fo Guang Shan: in 2011, she courageously accepted the invitation to create the six-meter-tall Thousand-Hand, Thousand-Eye Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue for the “Mount Potalaka Avalokitesvara Shrine” at the Buddha Museum in Taiwan, using art to interpret the deep significance of faith and culture.
At the conclusion of the lecture, BLIA representatives presented flowers in appreciation. Head Priest Venerable Yung Han and Chicago Chapter President Ke-Ying Wang presented a framed “Heart Sutra” calligraphy by FGS founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun, praising Ms. Yang’s outstanding contributions to Chinese cultural arts. Despite the freezing weather in Chicago that day, the temple was filled with warmth from Ms. Yang’s presence and the audience’s enthusiasm, making the event a true sanctuary for the soul.
The lecture resonated deeply with the audience. The following day, Ms. Yang shared her own touching reflection, noting that the Chicago temple is truly unique. While it was -21℃ outside, the indoor passion felt like 38℃. She was moved by how volunteers transformed an old warehouse into a sacred space surrounded by photos of the Master’s propagation journey and One-Stroke Calligraphy. Seeing the life-sized statue of the Master with his warm smile upon entering gave her immense confidence and strength—”So much so,” she joked, “that I accidentally talked past my time limit!”