From a Glimpse of Initial Aspiration to a Compassionate Vow – Dialogue between Director Ang Lee and Abbot President Venerable Guo Huei

On December 1, 2 p.m. at the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Gongliang Hall, DDM Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師) and internationally renowned Director Ang Lee (李安) attended a dialogue event entitled "seeing the initial aspiration", hosted by Ye Susan (葉樹姍) and organized by the Dharma Drum Mountain Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation and Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA). Based on their respective life experiences, both invited guests engaged in profound dialogue. They recounted their journey from an initial aspiration to a vow of compassion.
 
Director Ang Lee shared that our life journey is like a movie. The making of it is similar to the process of dharma practice in that both are ceaselessly in search of life's quests and answers to life's questions. He recalled that, while struggling through a period of feeling lost and confused in his thirties, he paid a visit to DDM Founder Master Sheng Yen at the Chan Meditation Center in New York, thus establishing their karmic ties. While he observing that despite the thin, frail physique, the Master was accomplishing so much in his endeavors, he wondered, "how does he generate so much energy?"
 
Over the years, Ang Lee persistently probed the deeper meanings of life with his curiosity and thirst for knowledge. Through his movies, he constantly showcased the inner conflicts and struggles of humanity, while coming to a deeper understanding that "life is like a play; everything is an illusion". In doing so, he hence hopes to guide his audience towards introspection. At the same time, he expressed his gratitude to all the performing artists and crew members whom he worked with over the years for their mutual support and achievements together. He described these encounters  as invaluable experiences in "teaching benefits both to the teacher and students alike".

On Ang Lee's "life is a play" reflections, Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei responded by mentioning the six degrees of the mind, namely: "length, breadth, expansiveness, warmth, subtlety, and depth". He pointed out that Director Lee reveals the truth about suffering in life through art, thereby touching the audience and elevating them spiritually. This is precisely the path from the original aspiration for creativity to a compassionate vow to benefit others.

"What is our purpose in life, and where do we go from here? What lies beyond the universe?" The Abbot President also shared some of his queries about life when he was young, as well as the cause and conditions leading to his decision to enter the monastic order after experiencing Chan practice. From being deeply-moved emotionally, he found the strength to push forward in life, and shared with everyone the inspiration from his mentor Master Sheng Yen's words "the Universe may one day perish, yet my vows are eternal". Venerable Guo Huei reminded everyone to cherish their finite lives with the words: "Success in one's career comes from being prepared; fulfillment in life comes from departing with readiness."

When Director Lee mentioned that interacting with the actors was similar to the process of individual interviews during Chan practice, the Abbot President's response was that spiritual practice ultimately must revert back to one's own mind, in order to sever the attachment to self. During the dialogue, Director Lee's natural expression of his insights gained from meditation practice was inspirational to the audience present. The Abbot President praised him as "a Chan Master delayed by filmmaking", with the ability to maintain physical and mental stability and ease amidst the chaos of a filmmaking set, thereby displaying his proficiency in "holding nothing in mind".
 
After the event, Ang Lee's schoolmate from high school, Lin Baihua (林柏樺), emotionally reflected that in sharing his experiences with "chaos" in his work and life, the Director has taught him a deeper perspective on treating the "sufferings" in life, which was an invaluable lesson learnt on the path of dharma practice. Before the conclusion of the event, the Dharma Drum Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation invited DDM Chan Hall Head Instructor, Ven. Chang Sheng (常乘法師) to lead everyone in a relaxation exercise, beginning with observing the breath and bodily sensations, allowing the mind to settle, and experiencing the power of being fully present in the moment.

Dharma Drum Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation stated that this artistic dialogue incorporating life, creativity and dharma practice is a rare interaction between different cultural and religious circles. While Director Ang Lee explores humanity through the use of cinematography, Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei uses mindfulness as an antidote to afflictions. Both inspire every audience towards introspection and a rediscovery of our initial aspiration in its purest content.
 


Original text in Chinese: 傅莉嫻
Photos: 李東陽、陳瑞、傅莉嫻
Translation: Cheng-yu Chang (張振郁)
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL