Honouring Master Tam, Saturday, August 13, 2011

Exhibition at the Ontario Chinese Artists Association

Master Tam, fellow students and disciples, and esteemed community representatives.

We are here today at the Ontario Chinese Artists Association to celebrate the life and work of an extraordinary, multi-dimensional, and visionary human being, Master Tam Shek-wing.

His renown is well deserved in his intellectual and creative endeavours as a writer, a painter, and a poet, as well as for his many other activities.

I am one of his multitude of students who studies Buddhism under his tutelage. I can personally attest to his brilliance in interpreting and teaching the meaning and significance of Buddhism in today’s world.

Master Tam is a scholar who is recognized world-wide and acknowledged for his wisdom, insights, and innovations in teaching at several Chinese universities, and simultaneously he is gaining more respect in the Western world for both his teaching and understanding of Buddhism and how it applies to everyday life. Earlier today we celebrated the English translation and publication of his book, Natural Appearances, Natural Liberation.

Master Tam’s brilliance is also revealed in his interpretation of our world as expressed in his paintings, in his mastery of ancient traditions in Chinese art. His paintings are remarkable in conveying the physical and the spiritual world, and in his grasp of their deeper meaning in his depictions of the world of nature that emanate from his heart and mind. For example, his depiction of the Hawaiian Queen Emma’s palace reflects a sad historical time in Hawaii of a controversial political period in the life of Emma, and her husband, the King, who blamed himself for the very early demise of their young son, the prince, dying himself the next year and leaving Emma a childless widow. Master Tam’s deep feelings about this sad tale are evidenced in this beautiful work of art. His artistic expression needs no translation. Each brush stroke conveys a depth of thought and connection to tradition, to life, and to the world, and is an elaboration and extension of his Buddhist faith.

I am privileged to be here today to recognize Master Tam’s intellectual strength in his writing and his artistic talent in the rich expression of his paintings. In each area, his compassion extends to all sentient beings. Please join with me in recognizing our amazing leader.

Beverley Giblon