This beautiful exhibition centred around the goddess "Kuan Yin" reminds us, that her main qualities, Mercy and Compassion, remain important human characteristics, especially in our hectic and materialist time. The spiritual quality which is represented by Kuan Yin was a principle in Buddhism from its start and it has entered popular belief and all levels of Buddhist art around Asia. The works of art shown here are of the highest category, their beauty gives the viewer easy access to their spirituality. The message emanating from the beauty of these objects is equally valid for the people of Asia and for the people of the rest of the world. In Germany, too, there are many Buddhists, around 250,000 according to statistics. They worship in private or in congregations, many in the Buddhist temples in Germany. It is very reassuring to know that the Buddhist philosophy of non-violence has entered many other cultures and brought peace and enlightenment to those, who are open for it. I am sure every visitor of this impressive exhibition will carry a piece of Kuan Yin's message home. If so, the works have fulfilled their best mission. Let us thank again Paul Kan for sharing his treasures with the rest of us.

Frank Burbach
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany