Master Wan Ko Yee is a man of extensive knowledge, great attainments, and profound talents and skills. He is the most famous of all highly learned men in modern history. The Master has many tremendous and astounding accomplishments in a variety of areas, such as religion, life and the universe, philosophy, science, literature, art, medicine, and martial arts. Furthermore, the Master is a Great Dharma King of the exoteric Tripitaka and the esoteric scriptures, which cover all Buddhist sects. Even though the Master’s great reputation has spread throughout the entire globe, his humility, simple life-style, and courteous, affable demeanor are rare in this world.

As early as 1991, the Master was conferred the laurel “Master of Oriental Art.” At the award ceremony, a representative of the awarding organization highly praised the Master, saying, “Not only are the accomplishments of Professor Wan Ko Yee in various fields transcendent, he has also revived 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.” In 1994, the World Poets and Culture Congress unanimously selected Master Wan Ko Yee as “Distinguished International Master.” This Congress is composed of 5,612 experts and scholars from 48 different countries and regions. However, Master Wan Ko felt that he was undeserving of such high honors and did not want to accept them. Working in an even more strict and down-to-earth way, the Master quietly and selflessly continued to make further contributions to mankind.  

Master Wan Ko feels that painting is just one ordinary page in the encyclopedia of human life. That is why he has not limited his efforts to painting alone. Many people have a strong but unfulfilled desire to view the Master’s paintings. In response to the repeated requests of International Arts Publishing and many art connoisseurs, Master Wan Ko has randomly picked out more than 100 of his paintings and has agreed to publish them in this tome for the enjoyment of the public.

Those who have viewed the paintings of Master Wan Ko are amazed at the lofty, vigorous, and superb quality of his work. Although this collection of paintings cannot represent the myriad unrivaled aspects of Master Wan Ko‘s paintings in all their glory, it still allows us to appreciate the splendor, verve, refinement, and transcendence of the Master’s art.

Because of limited space, examples of only a dozen or so different painting styles of the Master have been selected to be included in this collection. Those paintings in the front of the book mainly reflect brilliant and multi-faceted artistic skills. Those paintings toward the end of the book show the Master’s broad and profound artistic skills and that he has learned from tradition, yet established a style of his own. Master Wan Ko‘s art manifests the state of realization of an artist who became a holy being in the course of creating art by realizing his original nature and merging with the universe. The Master’s inner world united with all of nature. That is why his mind can embrace the countless worlds in the universe. Innumerable painting techniques are at the tip of his brush. His harmonization of diverse elements is remarkable. His paintings display a wholly natural charm. He has a comprehensive artistic vision. Indeed, he has entered a holy state of mind that transcends the mundane. For these reasons, he is the preeminent painter in all of Chinese history.

There have been numerous talented artists throughout the history of Chinese painting. They have produced countless magnificent paintings that have contributed to the excellent Chinese culture. But most of the great artists throughout the ages have tended to specialize in one particular skill, style, or subject matter. Those who excelled at landscape painting were rarely proficient in flower and bird painting. Those who were proficient in flower and bird painting were rarely adept at figure painting; and so on and so forth. Master Wan Ko, however, is proficient in all subject matters—whether landscape, flowers and birds, animals, fish, insects, or figures. With respect to artistic techniques, he has excelled at meticulous painting, freehand brushwork, splash-ink style, and many others. In all of these areas, he has demonstrated real traditional skills and originality.

These characteristics of Master Wan Ko‘s paintings have long ago been confirmed by art experts and collectors. In 2000, the Master’s paintings entitled “Majesty” and “Venerable Da Li Wan” sold at an international auction for US$2,125,327 and US$2,207,912, respectively. Those sales set new records for the highest priced painting of any living artist in the world as well as the highest priced Chinese paintings ever sold at an auction. Various media reported on those two sales and praised Master Wan Ko as “a great artist who is unprecedented in the history of Chinese painting,” and “a great person who laid the foundation for bringing Chinese paintings to the world at large.”

In his art, Master Wan Ko has indeed assimilated the essence of traditional Chinese painting. He has not simply learned from the painting tradition of Song, Yuan, Ming, and Ching dynasty scholars. He has also studied the grand and vigorous style of pre-Song dynasty painting. Yet, Master Wan Ko has not merely emulated the techniques of any one painter or any one school. He has learned from ancient artistry and has also learned from nature. Combining the two, he has created a novel and unique style of his own. From a careful examination of Master Wan Ko‘s paintings, it is not difficult to see the legacy of tradition and the spirit of originality. The paintings of previous generations of Chinese artists cannot match his paintings. In order to pay tribute to Master Wan Ko‘s accomplishments and contributions, the Dayi County government in Sichuan, China-the Master’s hometown-built the Master Wan Ko Yee Museum, which is unique in all the world.

Furthermore, Master Wan Ko founded a form of art called “Yun Sculpture.” Its appearance in the world represents a breakthrough in human art and culture. The graceful beauty of Yun Sculpture surpasses that of natural creations. Additionally, Yun sculptures are the only works of art in the world today that cannot be duplicated. There are no other examples of such works of art in the entire history of mankind.

Master Wan Ko Yee‘s artistic creations surpass the highest limits of human art. They embody superlative craftsmanship that has merged with nature. That is why the Organization of American States, which is composed of 34 countries–including the United States, Canada, and Mexico-held the “Master Wan Ko Yee Yun Sculpture Exhibition” in July of this year in the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C. That exhibition was primarily directed at ambassadors from various countries, as well as United States senators and congresspersons. It stunned the entire world. Senators, congresspersons, and ambassadors praised Master Wan Ko for making a great artistic contribution to the world. The Organization of American States publicly recognized Master Wan Ko as a great master of art and a Great Dharma King of Buddhism.

Subsequently, for the first time in its history, the United States Congress held an art exhibition in the congressional office building. That exhibition displayed Master Wan Ko Yee‘s Yun sculptures and was held in honor of the Master’s outstanding achievements and contributions. Most of the attendees were senators, congresspersons, and their staff. The guests came in a continuous stream. Over the course of two days, more than 400 people wrote down their sincere impressions in guest books that will be read for generations to come. They praised the beauty of Yun Sculpture. Many of them thanked the Master for bringing such heavenly treasures to the human realm. Certain congresspersons were so moved that they could not help but express themselves right then and there at the exhibition, praising the Master for his remarkable contributions to the advancement of human culture!

Master Wan Ko‘s unsurpassed attainments in painting, sculpture, art, and other fields are mainly rooted in his tireless study and practice of the philosophy of life and the universe. The Master’s accomplishments in Buddhism, philosophy, literature, and Yun Sculpture far exceed his accomplishments in painting and calligraphy. He possesses extraordinary talents and sagely wisdom. The Master’s writings contain countless worldly ways as well as eternal verities that transcend the world. These writings convey the laws of cause and effect and science. The reader will clearly see that the Master’s logic and reasoning are precise, clearly organized, and irrefutable. His writing style is elegant and classical. When read aloud, his writings sound flowing and melodious. They clearly express the Master’s lofty thoughts and breath of mind. 

The book Master Wan Ko Yee was distributed throughout the world and received high acclaim. Appended to that book are some of the Master’s philosophical and literary writings. Many people who read that biography were overcome with admiration. One such person was so moved that he felt compelled to express his veneration for the Master. Thus, that person donated  a cultural artifact worth US$10,000,000 to the Dayi County government in China as a gift to celebrate the inauguration of the Master Wan Ko Yee Museum. There was another person who, after viewing the peaceful, holy, and pure qualities of a Yun sculpture masterpiece, offered right then and there to purchase it for US$12,000,000. However, the Master politely declined his offer.

Master Wan Ko Yee‘s magnificent spirit, noble moral character, vast learning, and outstanding achievements have inspired people the world over. Many experts, scholars, professors, scientists, artists, famous film directors, eminent monks, virtuous religious figures, as well as distinguished individuals from military, political, and business circles have come from far distances to seek knowledge from the Master and become his student. They have come from various countries and are of diverse races. They share a deeply held common feeling—that is, when Master Wan Ko is teaching them, they feel that they are no longer professors or experts with decades of experience in fields such as teachings or art. Sitting in front of the Master, they feel like an elementary school student. They say that the Master’s teachings are immeasurably deep and beyond all praise. They say that the Master’s literary talents are great, that his words are incisive, that he can explain profound theories in simple language, and that his logic is incontrovertible. This often makes them feel extremely humble. With respect to professors, they never dreamed that after a few dozen years in academia their knowledge could become so commonplace in the presence of the Master.

In 1999, the American League of Colleges and Universities in the United States conferred upon the Master the highest doctorate degree in Buddhist studies, philosophy, calligraphy, painting, and art. When the Master gave a speech on ethics to the presidents of more than ten universities, the chairman of that conference felt as if he were coming out of darkness into the light of day. Right then and there, he slapped himself on the face and said, “I have lived in vain for a few dozen years. The Master is truly a holy person!” All of the university presidents, professors, and doctorate degree holders in attendance were amazed and praised the Master profusely.

Master Wan Ko‘s artistic skills reflect his thorough mastery and refinement of the philosophy of life and the universe, literature, ethics, and other fields. Although Master Wan Ko has attained such unsurpassed accomplishments, he is still modest and cautious. He often says, “Art is impermanent and boundless. Although I have attained some small achievements in certain aspects of art, there are still many painting techniques and genres that I have not yet attempted. That is why I cannot allow the public to read the glowing introduction to my collection of paintings written by an international organization.”

Because of such nobility of character, in his paintings Master Wan Ko is able to depict natural imagery and portray the thoughts and feelings of people so wondrously. Whether it be elegance of style, variety of genres and themes, or multiplicity of techniques, the Master has surpassed all Chinese artists of the past. That is why Master Wan Ko has become “a great artist who is unprecedented in the history of Chinese painting,” and “a great person who laid the foundation for bringing Chinese paintings to the world at large.” That is also why he is the only person in the history of mankind to have created Yun Sculpture, a form of art whose beauty surpasses the beauty of natural creations. With the creation of Yun Sculpture, mankind can now enjoy art that excels even nature itself.

Master Wan Ko maintains a heart of humility and a simple way of life. He always understates his many accomplishments. Thus, in accordance with the Master’s instructions, I dare not exaggerate any of his attainments or describe them in detail. I have only briefly introduced the Master’s moral character, painting skills, and Yun Sculpture talents in this introduction. I hope that all who read it will be benefited. 

            With great respect,

                      Professor John B. Tsu

Chairman of the White House President’s Commission

on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Ph.D. in Philosophy, M.A. in Literature, B.A. in Law

                           December 1, 2003