It is a great pleasure to submit a short message to the Commemorative Journal of the exhibition “Peace and Harmony – The Divine Spectra of Manjusri enshrining the Wisdom of China”.

By organizing this new exhibition, as an extension of the “Peace and Harmony” series held in 2007, Paul Kan takes us by the hand once again and leads us a step further on our path of discovery of Chinese art and philosophy. At the same time, he provides the Hong Kong public with a stunning display of magnificent artifacts, unique for their beauty and their capacity to induce meditation and enlightenment.

For people like me, raised in Western culture, it is unfortunately quite common to have but a very superficial knowledge of Chinese cultural and spiritual heritages and it is always difficult to grasp the profound significance of its many traditions, images, symbols and rituals. It is therefore a privilege to have such a competent and willing guide as Paul Kan, who successfully pairs his business activity with his involvement in philanthropy and his quest for peace and harmony.

The central role of the concept of wisdom in Chinese thinking and art, as depicted by the 108 artifacts dedicated to Manjusri, is the theme of this exhibition, which makes it a natural follow-up to the “The Divine spectra of Avalokitesvara” held in 2007: a fascinating journey through Chinese religious art and its political and social implications.

It is significant how the Chinese emperors believed themselves to represent the reincarnation of Manjusri, the apotheosis of transcendental wisdom. In his name they ruled the land, trying to bring peace and harmony to their people and to neighbouring countries. As rulers, they acted as a link between the world of man and the supranatural world of the divine.

This approach had parallels in ancient Greek and Roman cultures. The search for wisdom was a central feature of Greco-Roman philosophy, a concept dear to Socrates as well as to the philosophers steeped in the stoic tradition.

The Roman Emperor-philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, whose “Meditations” are highly valued in today's China, dedicated a number of remarks to the idea of wisdom. In his view, wisdom was the key to peace, and peace was the key to harmony among fellow human beings and between men and Nature. Having ruled the Empire during one of the most troubled periods of its history, he knew first-hand the calamitous results of actions based on ignorance and anger instead of wisdom. “How more grievous” – he wrote – are the consequences of anger than the causes of it”.

Moreover, the concept of wisdom, in the Western world, is not only central to classic culture and old pagan religions but also to cults and religions still practiced today. For Christians, for example, wisdom is one of the seven gifts bestowed on man by the Holy Spirit, while for the Roman Catholic Church, wisdom Prudence stands with justice, fortitude and moderation as one of the four cardinal virtues.

These examples, by no means exhaustive, show that regardless of latitude and geography, fundamental human values have been shared by all cultures and civilizations at all times.

As we stand in awe in front of the images of Manjusri, the God of Wisdom reminds us that the world is one and that, regardless of race, religion or language, true wisdom lies in mutual acceptance, love and compassion and that the only alternative is suffering, conflict and grief. This was as true in ancient times as it is in today's tormented world.

I wish to conclude by expressing my gratitude to Paul Kan for his consistent effort in spreading a message of peace and for his commendable activity in preserving and promoting China's wonderful past.