An itinerant photo exhibition featuring the traveling monk Xuanzang will first be shown in Shaanxi on May 14, co-sponsors Takungpao and CPPCC Paper announced on April 28 in Beijing.

Wang Wentao, CEO and chief editor of takungpao.com, launches an itinerant photography exhibition about the traveling monk Xuanzang at a ceremony in Beijing on April 28. [Photo by Wang Yifei/ chinadaily.com.cn]

The exhibition will be shown first in 108 temples around the nation before being shown in major countries and regions along China’s developing “Belt and Road”.

Xuanzang, “a backbone of the nation”, was a famous Chinese Buddhist scholar, traveler, and translator who described the interaction between China and India in the early Tang dynasty. He travelled more than 25,000 kilometers to the west, obtained over 600 Buddhist books and translated over 1000 Buddhist classics. He also finished his own classic, the Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, the inspiration of the famous novel Journey to the West.

Wang Wentao, executive CEO and chief editor of takungpao.com, said that Master Xuanzang’s persistence has set an example for Chinese people. He advocates people learning from Xuanzang to overcome difficulties in achieving their goals in life.

“It took two years to prepare the exhibition. We shot over 20,000 pictures and finally chose 3,000 for the traveling show,” said Shi Liwei, deputy chief editor of takungpao.com.

Shi said that the photo exhibition has four parts. Chapter One, Journey to the West, shows landscapes, places of interest and folk customs along Xuanzang’s journey. Chapter Two, Pattra Leaves Scripture Classics, shows 657 classic Pattra leaf scriptures from China and elsewhere, which have different textures and characters. Chapter three, Mutual learning of Cultures, features artistic and cultural treasures in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Thailand, Laos , Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Chapter Four, Calligraphy of Eminent Buddhists, focuses on calligraphy works of Buddhists from the late Qing dynasty to now.

Shi Liwei, deputy chief editor of Takungpao, describes the preparation of the photography show and highlights of the photos at the launching ceremony of the Xuanzang exhibition in Beijing on April 28. [Photo by Wang Yifei/ chinadaily.com.cn]

Li Silong, director of Peking University’s Buddhism Education Research Center, analyzed the meaning of “Xuanzang spirit” and called on people to learn from this master. He said Xuanzang spirit means perseverance, love for the motherland, and kind-heartedness.

“Exchanges between countries have three levels. With the preliminary level being trade and the middle level being culture and art exchange, the highest level is actually between hearts and thoughts. This is where Buddhism plays a part,” professor Li went on to say.

Domestic Buddhism associations from Hong Kong and Macau, and from Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangdong, and Hainan provinces, as well as overseas Buddhism associations such as the India World Buddhism Association, sent congratulatory messages to the exhibition’s sponsors.

While the show is being held across the nation, the sponsors will also initiate philanthropy and poverty alleviation activities to better promote Buddhism’s value of kindness.

Calligraphy by eminent Buddhist Master Yicheng saying “Xuanzang in a Time of Prosperity” are shown at the launching ceremony of the Xuanzang exhibition in Beijing on April 28. [Photo by Wang Yifei/chinadaily.com.cn]