<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Second Subchapter of the BLIA Chicago Chapter organized a “Buddhist Art Tour” at the Art Institute of Chicago, which houses one of the premier collections of Buddhist art in the United States. Venerable You Heng, Superintendent of Fo Guang Shan Chicago and Chief Editor of the English version of the “Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts,” provided a vivid bilingual commentary in Chinese and English. She explored the historical background and Dharma teachings behind each artifact, spanning from Gandhara art and Chinese Buddhist sculpture to Southeast Asian Buddhist icons. The insightful tour attracted nearly 30 members and curious tourists, who engaged in interactive Q&A sessions to deepen their understanding of Buddhist aesthetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Bodhisattvas are all around us,” remarked Paul Kanter from the English Subchapter. He expressed that surrounding oneself with these lifelike statues felt like a direct heart-to-heart connection with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Karen Tredinnick, a psychotherapist who attends weekly English cultivation sessions at the temple, noted that learning about the significance of Buddha mudras (hand gestures) from Venerable You Heng revealed striking similarities between secular meditation and Buddhist Zen, both of which are highly beneficial for mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steven Volkening, a history professor deeply captivated by Oriental art, came prepared with pen and paper to document his learning for further research. Dr. Zongsheng Deng, a professor of Science Communication from Taiwan, commented on how rare and precious it was to find a bilingual tour in a Western museum that fully represented the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha). Usually a frequent visitor to science museums, Dr. Deng felt his conventional thinking patterns expand, sparking a continuous flow of inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite the heavy traffic on Michigan Avenue due to the 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race, the event’s coordinator and Vice President of the Second Subchapter, Bi-Lin Ni, ensured a smooth experience by assisting with parking and organizing a vegetarian “food tour” alongside the art visit. The day concluded successfully, allowing the public to experience the charm of Buddhist art while gaining a deeper spiritual insight into the teachings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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