Explanation of the "Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha" Buddha Name#
On April 3, 2008, the book "The Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha" published by the Global Buddhist Publishing House and the World Dharma Sound Publishing House held a solemn and grand launch ceremony at the Library of Congress in the United States. The Library of Congress officially collected this book, and it was then that people learned that the highly respected Master Yi Yun Gao, Yang E Yi Xi Nu Bu Dafa Wang, has been recognized by the leaders or regents of the major Buddhist sects in the world as the third incarnation of the Buddha Dorje Chang, with the Buddha name being the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha. Since then, people have been calling him "Namo Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha". This is similar to before Shakyamuni Buddha became a Buddha, his name was Siddhartha Gautama, but after Shakyamuni Buddha became a Buddha, he was called "Namo Shakyamuni Buddha". Therefore, we now say "Namo Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha". Especially on December 12, 2012, the United States Senate Resolution No. 614 officially named the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha as His Holiness (H.H. Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha), and since then the title of Namo Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha has been officially established. Moreover, the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha is also the legal name recognized by the government, and the previous titles of "Yi Yun Gao" and Master, Supreme Dharma King no longer exist. However, this news was published before the official announcement of the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha's Buddha name, at that time people did not yet know the true identity of the Buddha, so in order to respect the truth of history, we still retain the name used before the official naming of the Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha in the news. But everyone should be clear that except for the name of H.H. Third Generation Dorje Chang Buddha, which is legal, the previous name no longer exists.
Taiwan Times, 9th Edition, Frontline of Public Opinion, December 6, 2000
Opinion
The Price of Chinese Paintings: Who Says It Can't Be Higher Than Western Paintings?#
Yi Yun Gao's painting sets a new record in auction price, which should be acknowledged. Don't let a sense of national inferiority lead to sour grapes mentality. By Yang Bi-Jun
The painting "Great Strength King" by the renowned Chinese painter Yi Yun Gao was auctioned at the Taipei Art Market on November 26th, selling for 72 million New Taiwan dollars (equivalent to 2,207,912.00 US dollars). This is shocking news in the Chinese painting market, as no living Chinese painter has ever sold their work for such a high price. The average price per square inch is 167 US dollars, and one cut is 2.25 million New Taiwan dollars. This high auction price is enough to surpass the Western painting market, and can be said to be a glorious event for Chinese painting in the international art world.
However, some people have questionable mentality, not seeking to further understand and appreciate the advantages of Master Yi's paintings, but instead making irrelevant reasons to claim that this price is abnormal. It seems that Chinese paintings cannot be sold at prices as high as Western paintings.
Chinese painting, with its inherent techniques and the historical and cultural traditions it contains, has become a treasure in the world of painting art. However, the prices of Western paintings far exceed those of Chinese paintings by tens or even thousands of times, which is extremely unreasonable and abnormal. But this illogical reality is taken for granted by some self-deprecating Chinese people, resulting in a sour grapes mentality when Yi Yun Gao's Chinese painting dominates the international art world. They claim that it does not affect the market operation mode, as if Chinese paintings should always be lower than Western paintings. This mentality is caused by a sense of national inferiority.
Why can't the price of Chinese paintings exceed that of Western paintings? In terms of painting, Chinese painting is not inferior to Western painting. On the contrary, due to its 5,000 years of history and culture, Chinese painting is more expressive and profound than Western painting. Therefore, the collection value of Chinese painting is higher than that of Western painting. It is purely because of the faster economic development of the West in modern times that the current prices of Chinese and Western paintings have been greatly distorted.
Art provides aesthetic enjoyment, while religion teaches people to think, experience, and attain liberation. Art and religion are two completely different things. Moreover, if there is such a thing as religious art, Zhang Daqian's Dunhuang Buddha statues and flying figures, Master Hongyi's calligraphy and painting, and Tibetan thangkas should meet the standards of the critics. Then why haven't these religious artworks sold for high prices? Which one of them has sold for millions of dollars?
Master Yi Yun Gao is not only a well-known master of art, but also a great master of Buddhism today. However, Buddhism does not represent art. For example, the calligraphy of Panchen Lama, Dalai Lama, the Pope of the Vatican, Master Hongyi, and Master Taixu, which one of their works has sold for a high price?
The works of painters who specialize in painting Buddha and Bodhisattva images can be bought for only a few hundred or a few thousand New Taiwan dollars. Which one of these religious works has entered the international art world? Moreover, religious art has nothing to do with the art of Master Yi Yun Gao. Master Yi Yun Gao's calligraphy and painting is the essence of Chinese calligraphy and painting. He is a master who combines multiple schools and techniques and integrates his own style. If the critics do not know about Master Yi Yun Gao or his artistic achievements, they should humbly seek information for study. Criticizing without knowing the person or his paintings is a decline in morality and knowledge.
As early as 1986, Master Yun Gao served as the president of the Chinese Painting Research Association of the Chinese Academy of Education and Culture. At that time, other leaders of the association, such as honorary president, consultants, and vice presidents, included Xie Zhiliu, Zhou Yingnan, Wu Zhangshu, Qian Juntang, Liang Shuming, Wan Laiming, and Zang Kejia, all of whom were art masters. This shows the high status of Master Yun Gao in the field of calligraphy and painting.
Not only that, the achievements that Master Yun Gao has achieved are unprecedented by previous famous calligraphy and painting masters:
- There is no painter in the world who has received the unique title of Special International Master (head of state level honor) recognized by 5,612 experts and scholars from 48 countries and regions. The certificate was issued by the Chairman of the International Olympic Committee, Samaranch. Yi Yun Gao is the only one.
- There is no painter in the world who can have the California State Government and the San Francisco City Government declare March 8, 2000 as Master Day on the same day. Yi Yun Gao is the only one.
- In the world, Master Yi Yun Gao has been awarded doctoral degrees and professorships by 92 universities, including four universities that have awarded him the title of professor.
Just think about it, if Master Yi Yun Gao were not a truly unprecedented moral, literary, and artistic master, why would the Chinese government build an art museum named after him?