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
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