The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.114).

TZU CHI 114 31 Attendees share their thoughts Venerable Jue Xian , Qian Fo Temple, Klang Interviewed by Lim Li Tian Photograph by Lim Kar Guan Venerable Jue Xian from the Qian Fo Temple in Klang was invited by volunteers to attend the performance. “I’m impressed. I used to think that traditional Taiwanese opera is limited to an elderly audience, but this performance has proved otherwise. It felt as if I’ve acquainted myself with the Sutra through the play,” he said, before adding that the Sutra is widely read by many, yet thoroughly understood by few. Venerable Jue Xian also opined that the play has made the core message of the Sutra more accessible. He was touched by Bright-eyes’ filial intentions to rescue her mother from the flames of hell, saying, “The teachings of the Dharma are rooted in the virtue of filial piety, which, if not upheld, will render the Dharma obsolete.” Henrike Westergaard , attendee Interviewed by Kiew Li Wen Photograph by Chan Tuck Meng For Henrike Westergaard, a psychologist from Denmark who practises Hinduism, this was his first time watching a Taiwanese opera performance that incorporated Buddhist scriptures. He firmly believes in the karmic cycle, illustrating the process with an analogy to the routine of going to sleep and waking up every day as a simplified parallel to the cycle of reincarnation. He confessed that the play cautioned him against committing misdeeds and alerted him to be mindful of his thoughts and actions, all of which will determine the karmic value over a lifetime. The play also enlightened him to the significance of adopting a vegetarian diet as he realized that animals are sentient beings too. Lee An Gin , volunteer Interviewed by Tan Kim Hion Photograph by Lee Siew Kuan Penang-based volunteer Lee An Gin acquired tickets to the play with the intention of supportingTCISKL. “I’ve heard the story of Bright-eyes before and watched the series on Da Ai TV, but this is my first time seeing it presented in a Taiwanese opera format. I didn’t expect to be moved by it,” she professed. Bright-eyes’ selfless pledge to deliver all beings from suffering in exchange for her mother’s liberation from the depths of hell made An Gin realize that filial piety is tantamount to performing virtuous deeds and transferring the accrued merits to our parents. She was inspired to commit herself to charity to sow more blessings for her parents. A Tale of Filial Piety and Noble Virtues