Rejoicing with the Buddha:  Living Buddha Lian Sheng and Shimu Visit the Seattle Asian Art Museum
[Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple News / By Shi Lian Yi]
After recovering from a serious illness, His Holiness Living Buddha Lian Sheng immediately resumed a demanding schedule of Dharma activities—conducting daily consultations and blessings, and on weekends presiding over group practices, homa ceremonies, and delivering Dharma teachings. There was hardly any true time for rest.
In order to allow His Holiness and Shimu Vajra Master Lian Hsiang some time to recuperate and relax amidst their busy Dharma work, Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple arranged a half-day outing on April 30, respectfully inviting them to visit the Seattle Asian Art Museum, located within Volunteer Park. Monastics and lay practitioners from both Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple and Rainbow Temple also joined the outing, with a total group of approximately seventy-five participants.

The Seattle Asian Art Museum is situated within the well-known Volunteer Park in Seattle. The park was designed in the early 20th century by the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm and is an important part of Seattle’s “Emerald Necklace” park system. The museum itself was completed in 1933 and is an Art Deco-style building designed by architect Carl F. Gould. Its dignified stone exterior harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding greenery.

On that day, as the group of monastic and lay disciples entered the museum, they drew the curiosity of museum staff, who asked where everyone had come from. Taking advantage of this opportunity, accompanying disciples introduced Seattle Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple, Rainbow Temple, and the True Buddha School to the museum staff. What began as an art visit naturally became an occasion for cultural and spiritual exchange.

Upon entering the exhibition halls, what first caught His Holiness’s attention was the figure of Kamadeva, the Indian god of desire. From this, His Holiness spoke about the contradiction in human life and spiritual practice: on one hand, people possess desires; on the other hand, they seek liberation from desire. Without desire, life loses its fundamental motivation, and one may not even be able to function normally. Yet if one indulges in desire, one is easily bound by it and unable to attain freedom.

Spiritual cultivation may lie somewhere between these two extremes—not rejecting life, nor indulging in craving, but learning to observe, regulate, and transform it.
During the visit, a particularly memorable moment occurred. A Western visitor, upon seeing His Holiness—though not necessarily recognizing who he was—naturally stopped, brought their palms together in respect, and bowed before continuing to view the exhibits. In that brief moment, without words, a sense of solemn reverence was conveyed.

Among the exhibits, a wooden sculpture of Prince Shotoku at the age of two attracted special attention. Prince Shotoku holds an important place in Japanese Buddhist history and is said to have been able to join his palms and recite the Buddha’s name even as a child, making him a significant symbol of the propagation of Buddhism in Japan. A disciple assisting with the arrangement of the visit mentioned to His Holiness that the museum also houses sculptures of Prince Shotoku at age sixteen and a portrait at age twenty-six, though they were not currently on display. The disciple joked that they had once asked the museum when those pieces would be exhibited again, but refrained from saying, “Prince Shotoku himself is coming to see them,” for fear of being misunderstood.

Upon hearing this, His Holiness responded with wit and humor:
“Prince Shotoku has grown old—he is now Old Prince Shotoku.”
His remark drew gentle laughter from everyone, adding warmth and lightness to the otherwise solemn visit.

His Holiness calmly viewed exhibits of Asian art from China, Japan, Korea, and India. At an interactive digital display of Chinese painting, he explained to the disciples the differences in brushwork, expression, and representation between birds and insects in traditional Chinese art. What might have been a static viewing experience thus became a lively on-site teaching. Before an exhibit of Hariti, His Holiness explained that she is known for having many children—said to have a hundred offspring—and the disciples suddenly felt a closer connection to this Dharma protector.

From Indian deities and Buddhist protectors to Japan’s Prince Shotoku and Chinese painting and calligraphy, His Holiness was able to explain the cultural origins and spiritual meanings of each with ease. Through this, disciples could deeply appreciate that His Holiness is not only profoundly versed in Buddhism but also well-versed in world religions and cultures, including even traditions such as Indian Jainism.

After visiting the museum, His Holiness, Shimu, and the group moved on to Volunteer Park. The park’s reservoir reflected the sky and surrounding trees like a mirror. Nearby stood the park’s iconic water tower, from which one can view the Seattle skyline, the Space Needle, and Puget Sound. However, due to the many steps involved, the group decided not to ascend the tower out of consideration for the safety and physical condition of His Holiness and Shimu.

The group then took a leisurely walk along the pond for over ten minutes. The spring breeze was gentle and warm, and the atmosphere among teacher and disciples was harmonious and joyful. Along the water, pairs of mandarin ducks could be seen swimming together, some with ducklings following closely behind—an adorable sight. Inspired by this scene, His Holiness shared several humorous anecdotes. In one, a wife admired a pair of mandarin ducks and said, “Look how loving they are.” Later, when the couple returned to look again, the ducks were still together. But upon closer inspection, the husband remarked, “That’s not the same female anymore.” His vivid and humorous storytelling brought continuous laughter from the group.

These brief moments were especially precious for the disciples. To walk together with His Holiness in the park, enjoying the scenery and sharing laughter, was a rare and heartwarming time between teacher and disciples.

At the conclusion of the outing, His Holiness departed by car. The disciples stood outside with palms joined in respect as they saw him off, while His Holiness waved to everyone for a long while.

Within the museum, though the exhibits were silent, His Holiness brought them to life through his teachings. Along the park pathways, laughter carried on the spring breeze, accompanying teacher and disciples alike. In this way, the entire outing was filled with Dharma joy.