Master's S.M. Celestial Clothes Fashion Show is currently being staged around the world. It has attracted much attention in the field of international fashion design. Several fellow initiates who are professionals in the fields of fashion, photography and the art of painting have expressed their feelings about Master's artistic creations.
How much time does it take to make over one hundred and thirty sets of Celestial Clothes? A French female initiate who works as a pattern maker for Channel (a famous French fashion company) said: "Even if you mobilize thirty people and do a rush job continuously for a month, you still may not complete it!" How could it be that with only ten plus fellow initiates, under Master's meticulous instructions, they accomplished the job perfectly in a period of just over ten days?
Sister initiate Chen, who has over twenty years experience as a pattern maker, participated in the whole process of making the Celestial Clothes. Unable to hide her excitement, she talked about this journey of abundant learning:
In the beginning, I carried with me mundane 'professional habits' and my mind was fighting against Master all the time. Although I knew Master was frustrated, I was not able to tune into Her ideas. Consequently, the work did not progress smoothly.
For example, there was an outfit designed for secretaries; it had high slits on both sides of the skirt. I assumed that Master's design was intended to be conservative, so I did not make the slits as high as She had designed. When Master saw it, She commented that we only worried about overexposure, but did not consider the secretary's job. Besides managing their office work efficiently, secretaries often need to fight for time driving and picking up their children. With the way we cut the skirt slits, their lives could well be in jeopardy! Finally, under Master's instructions, the slits on this Celestial skirt were adjusted to the most appropriate height to meet the needs of those in everyday life. Besides the beautiful appearance of the outfit, its practical aspects were also meticulously considered.
Also, there was another skirt that emphasized beautiful flowing lines. After many corrections, it was still not perfect. Finally, Master came to show us how to make it come alive and look chic. By then, it was almost daybreak! I was deeply touched by Master's tender, loving care and by the considerate way in which She caters to the needs of others.
During the first week, Master used different situations to remind me of my old habits and cleanse my karma. Gradually, I was able to break my old habits of my mind and come into contact with Master on the inner level.
While on the job, the most important thing was concentration. As soon as I diverted my attention, obstacles would arise immediately. There was an Indian hat that I had made four times. Had I been doing my regular job, I would have felt that the boss was picking on me. But later I understood that it was Master's training because the task allowed me to learn three more designs on that one item.
While making another hat, I wasn't sure if it was the way that Master wanted it. So I started praying to Her. Immediately, She called and asked me if I needed help. Then She used a coaster to demonstrate and compare - the answer came quickly and clearly! Master is truly omnipresent - to communicate with Her directly on the inner level is the perfect way!
Even with very limited materials, Master was still able to fully express the sentiments of Truth, virtue and beauty. One of the Celestial Clothes was made from an ordinary piece of coarse cloth of an obscure color, but Master added a shiny lining to it which transformed it into a magnificent garment! The outer obscurity represented the physical body, while the inner brilliance represented the soul. It reminds the world of one's inner brilliant nature and the value of spiritual practice.
After the job was completed, I couldn't appreciate the works of other famous international designers any more. Master told us later: "Whatever you do, put in your best effort; whether you succeed or not is not important."
From the lessons that I experienced, I realized that the mind accumulates many habits from past lives, creating obstacles that impede our spiritual cultivation. In order to reach perfection, we must have direct contact with Master on the inner level.
To me, Master's fashion designs, musical compositions and paintings are unspoken teachings that touch my soul and prompt my concentration. They all represent Truth, virtue and beauty; like poetry, they captivate my entire being.
Master's Celestial Clothes are carefree yet have a powerful impact. Some bring forth the wonders of the universe, some integrate different ethnic cultures; the lines flow clearly, the designs are elegant, and the colors brilliant and alive.
Master's paintings have the same style. They are distinct yet delicate; within the innocence there is creativity; behind the calmness there is activity. As one mindfully studies the paintings, it seems that what is actually revealed isn't what one sees. When the painting seems quiet it isn't really calm, and when there is activity there isn't any movement. The style is free flowing and graceful. Master's musical compositions are no exception. From these examples one can see that the wisdom of a truly enlightened master is infinite.
I feel deeply that Master brings us onto the path, but the practice depends on ourselves. It may be a common saying, but one must have the merit to follow Master, understand Her compassion, and humbly receive Her blessings. Master has said: "Once the wisdom eye is opened, then we are able to truly understand the people, things and situations that surround us."
Master's creations remind me that even though I am a new initiate, I must rush to catch up with Her pace. By practicing the Quan Yin Method diligently, I receive pieces of enlightenment every day, and eventually I'll reach the great enlightenment. Not only will it help me advance spiritually and morally, but it also helps me cultivate my own potential at work. My diligent practice helps me and benefits others - so why not!?
For many years, I dreamed about being an artist, but due to financial reasons, I could not become a professional artist. Eventually, I went to work in the field of architecture, drafting three-dimensional views of the interiors of buildings.
My personality makes me always seek perfection. But I can only paint things life-like or create a beautiful shape with a very simple form. Occasionally I am wondrously inspired. Such artistic "sudden enlightenment" happened once or twice when I was outdoors and opened my heart to nature without the bindings of commercial influence. However, I did not know how to keep the innocent heart of an artist at all times.
Once I was looking at Master's paintings in the Laiyi Meditation Center when my uncle asked for my opinion as an artist. I lingered in front of Master's paintings in an intoxicated state directly attributable to Her works. I was astonished and speechless. I was so touched that no words could express my feelings! With the shocking feeling of finding an intimate friend, tears filled my eyes. For a long time, I have searched everywhere for teachers and attended art exhibitions, but never has my heart been so impressed.
Master's paintings fully expressed the vast world within my heart. It was like reading "The Key Of Immediate Enlightenment," and someone had spoken my thoughts for me. Worldly language can hardly express the thoughts in the mind of a living saint, yet Master's creations can really directly touch the depth of one's soul. I am most grateful to Master because She uses all methods to save sentient beings; otherwise, a "rock" like me, who only knows painting would perhaps ask: "When will I ever go home?"
I have been working in the fields of photography and marketing for over ten years. From a professional standpoint, I regard myself as possessing the talent and judgement of an artist. However, during the long creative process, in my mind I have often experienced the feeling of being stuck due to lack of inspiration.
After my initiation, I eagerly wanted to break free from all bindings in the world. I discovered that my "determination to be an artist" was really a set of heavy chains. Therefore I had a thought about not creating any more. During this period of time, Master was like a skillful watch-maker; breaking into my rusted skull and installing brand new parts. She made me realize that creation is the manifestation of one's inner and outer joy.
Now I have started again and intend to become a happy artist for life. From Master's painting's, music, celestial clothes and attitude toward life, I observe the highest expression of perfection in the merging of the body and soul as well as in the esthetics of creation. I would like to share some of my thoughts.
Throughout history, the lives of most great artists, regardless of their spiritual attainment, have shown us that their accomplishments and life circumstances were like both ends of a string - they could not be integrated. Artists such as Kawabata Yasunari, Van Gogh, Beethoven and Bach displayed unsurpassed talent yet their lives were not able to escape the tragedy of suicide, insanity, physical handicaps or early death. We are in heaven when we appreciate their works of art, but when we look into their lives we experience hell. However beautiful and abundant the cherry blossoms are, they are gone in a fleeting moment. It is extremely rare for someone to be highly recognized for their artistic achievements and at the same time freely enjoy a glorious, colorful life.
Master is an example of the "perfect product" of enlightenment. She lives freely; Her actions and creations are a combination of life and artistic grace at their fullest. She is truly a practitioner and an artist of life.
The artistic creations of humanity are consciously searching for "beauty in form" or "inner meanings." These creations usually express "fame, fortune, desire, life, death or redemption," and are still under the influence of the mundane world. In contrast, Master's creations are balanced, harmonious, diverse and beautiful in form. They are also full of messages of joy from heaven and express a state of serenity and selflessness. They are far beyond the mundane physical world. Within Master's artistic creations, one can clearly see three aspects: Deep messages for sentient beings, reminding them not to forget to practice spiritually; the state of samadhi that Master expresses in Her flowing and natural style, without a word; and the ease with which Master merges art and spirituality into daily life.
These three aspects demonstrate a living Master's compassion and Her achievement of perfection in spiritual practice.
What Did Master's Perfect Creations Teach Me?
Creating art and spiritual fulfilment can appear to be like two ends of a string; if we bend the string in the center, both ends will meet at the same point. An artist is made of seven parts of hard work plus three parts of talent. Most people throughout their lives can only reach the level of an artisan. Master never studied painting, fashion design, music theory, architecture or horticulture, yet this has not hindered the full growth of Her talent.
Master has said: "The more we are enlightened, the more developed our talents will be." We may not have been a born genius, but with inner enlightenment, we can develop the three parts of talent. Therefore, our lives, work and creative talent will reach the essential balance between Yin and Yang as we walk the path of enlightenment.
Most fashion designers emphasize a precise sense of beauty and line in all of their designs. However, Master's Celestial Clothes are not only beautiful, they are practical as well. Master has considered the needs of the wearer with loving care by not only wanting the wearer of the clothes to be 'beautiful,' but also 'comfortable'.
I have also observed the details of Master's Celestial Clothes. Be it a choice of buttons, the curve of the collar, the width of the sleeves, the fit or even the size of a pocket, however minor, no detail is ignored or taken lightly. The precision in the production of every part makes the clothes unique in their own way.
As far as combination of colors is concerned, Master really breaks the traditional rules. Under Her splendid arrangement, colors that are traditionally not put together are combined tastefully. The results are eye-catching.
All of these skills usually require years of accumulated experience.
Master, however, has never studied fashion design, yet the precision with
which She handles everything is truly incredible.