Hang Kung Yee – Paintings and Sculptured Landscapes

The Explanation of the Buddha’s Title – “H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III”

On April 3, 2008, a solemn and dignified first-publishing ceremony of a fact-recording book entitled H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, which published jointly by the World Buddhism Publishing LLC and the World Dharma Voice, Inc., was held at the Library of the Congress of the United States. The book was also formally accepted into the collection of the Library of the Congress of the United States. Only since that time, did people in the world know that Master Wan Ko Yee, who had been broadly respected by the great masses and who had also been known as Great Dharma King Yangwo Yeshe Norbu, had been recognized by the world’s leaders, regent dharma kings, and great rinpoches of Buddhism through official documents as the third incarnation of Dorje Chang Buddha, who is the primordial Sambhogakaya Buddha of the universe. The Buddha’s name is H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. Since then, people began to address His Holiness the Buddha by “Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III.” This is similar to the situation that Sakyamuni Buddha’s name was Prince Siddhartha Gotama before attaining Buddhahood. However, after Sakyamuni Buddha had attained Buddhahood, His title changed to “Namo Sakyamuni Buddha.” That is why we now address His Holiness the Buddha as “H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.” In particular, on December 12, 2012, the Senate Resolution No. 614 of the United States Congress officially used “His Holiness” in the name addressing Dorje Chang Buddha III (That is to say, “H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III.”) Since then, the title and status of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III has been definitive by nature. And, as a matter of fact, “Dorje Chang Buddha III” is a name used legally in governmental and official legislative documents. Therefore, the previously used respected name and titles such as “Wan Ko Yee,” Great Master, and Great Dharma King no longer exist. However, the news below was published before the Buddha’s title of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was publicly announced. At that time, people did not know about the true status of His Holiness the Buddha. Therefore, to respect the true history, we still kept the names used before the title of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was legitimately determined in republishing this news. However, all must clearly know that the only legitimate name of His Holiness the Buddha is H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III and all other names used before the legitimate determination no longer exist.

FOREWORD
Hang Kung’s Six Themes

Artists who have seen the book containing Hang Kung’s six themes say that had they not read the foreword or seen his photograph, they would have concluded that those works of art must be the creations of an outstanding and famous veteran artist. They never dreamed that the artist who created the Chinese paintings and the three-dimensional sculptured landscapes is a fifteen-year-old young man still in school.

Hang Kung Yee is a young artist who is worthy of the accolades he has received. On February 8, 2004, the Royal Academy of Arts in the United Kingdom, which is an international authoritative organization in the field of art, issued a certificate signed by its Keeper and its Curator. That certificate stated that the work of Hang Kung Yee is highly original and showed great talent.

Hang Kung Yee was born in February of 1988 in China’s Sichuan Province. He comes from a family of scholars for generations. Previously in China, there were four respectable occupations: the fisherman, the woodcutter, the farmer, and the scholar. People within each of those occupations would select the one person in their particular occupation whom they thought was the most virtuous and worthy. Hang Kung’s great-grandfather was selected as the most virtuous and worthy person within the scholar occupation. Hang Kung’s grandfather, the world-renowned Mr. Feng-Chi, was fully versed in Chinese classics and history and had thorough knowledge of the principles of Chinese medicine and the Book of Changes. Hang Kung’s father, Professor Wan Ko Yee, is a world-renowned great scholar, a pre-eminent Master of wisdom, a consummate painter of Chinese paintings, and the founder of a form of art called Yun Sculpture. International organizations have evaluated and recognized all of these accomplishments of Professor Wan Ko Yee and have awarded him with many certificates of commendation. Hang Kung’s mother, Yu-Hua Wang, Ph.D., is a professor at a famous American university.

During his childhood years, Hang Kung received the edifying influence of his father and learned to refine his moral character. He likes to view and appreciate calligraphy and paintings. He has especially studied the painting styles of the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. He constantly practices the styles of painters such as Ba Da, Shi Tao, Shen Zhou, Nan Tian, and his father, Master Wan Ko Yee.

Previously, Hang Kung diligently practiced painting but could not paint no matter how hard he tried. Therefore, he asked his father for the key to success. Master Wan Ko Yee gave a discourse to him in which he transmitted a fast method for developing prajna, or wonderful wisdom. After practicing the teachings of his father, one day Hang Kung suddenly realized wisdom, and his craftsmanship skills surged to the fore.

One of Hang Kung’s special fortes is the scholarly tone of his paintings. Add to this his masterful originality, and the result is a unique style of high quality. He is very adept in creating elegant scenes of harmony. As the elderly gentleman Huang Bin-Hong said, “On the surface, his works may appear rough. However, they actually conform to the strictest logic. Although the external appearance of his creations may seem unfinished, in fact, he has total mastery of the principles of his artwork. What appears rough is truly a manifestation of profound craftsmanship.” Those who have seen many of Hang Kung’s paintings feel that they are replete with meaning and spirit yet are not painted in detail. People are left with the impression that Hang Kung painted and composed without the slightest bit of attachment. Thus, his style is lofty, grand, and splendid. His works embody transcendent charm and the wonderful innocence of a child.

Hang Kung is a young man who is without any attachments. He trains himself to maintain a heart of humility and never shows off his skills. After his arrival in the United States, whether in school or any other place, Hang Kung never flaunts his artistic prowess. Hang Kung is especially adept in creating three-dimensional handcrafted landscapes. His landscapes are mainly composed of his handcrafted moldings, but also contain figurines and natural objects, resulting in scenes too beautiful to be absorbed at one time.

Hang Kung’s lively three-dimensional sculptured landscapes come from life, yet are higher than life. They are not models. The scenes he creates are complete replicas of natural scenes, such as mountains, rivers, and land. He has even been able to add a mysterious, dreamy, ethereal air to his landscapes.

This book contains artwork composed after Hang Kung suddenly realized his original nature and had a spontaneous breakthrough in the field of craftsmanship. This book is also the first publication of his six themes and a work of art entitled “Highlands and Green Seas.” The abbreviated name of the first of these six themes is Chinese Painting Theme, which includes twelve different paintings. The abbreviated names of the other five themes are Bleak Winter Theme, Cave Theme, Banna Theme, Meaning of Spring Theme, and Illusion Theme. The full name of Chinese Painting Theme is Chinese Painting Landscape Region. The full names of the five three-dimensional handcrafted landscapes are as follows: The Bleak Winter Theme is named Sounds of Bleak Winter Region. The Cave Theme is called Ancient-Looking Cave Region. The Banna Theme is called Xishuang Banna Region. The full name of the Meaning of Spring Theme is Spring Mountains and Warm Waters Region. Finally, the Illusion Theme is entitled Illusory and Mysterious Lake Region. The majority of photographs in this book portray various sights in these six regions. The colors, harmonious quality, tone, and seemingly changing nature of each photograph makes them inexhaustibly beautiful, like a silent song. That is why they are called Hang Kung’s Six Themes. Each of the five three-dimensional sculptured landscapes has a legend to introduce its meaning. These legends were related by a lady called Magnolia.

In addition to the six themes, this book contains in its last several pages pictures of a superb sculptured landscape called “Highlands and Green Seas.” That work of art was completed after the six themes were completed, yet it merges the essence of the six themes into one work. It harmoniously embodies the spirit and form of nature. It is an exquisitely sculptured landscape scene that captures the mystery of emptiness. That work of art is even more special than the six themes. It expresses a charm and style that could only result from superlative craftsmanship. Transcending the normal bounds of art, capturing the spirit of the universe, incorporating the loveliness of nature, it was created with ease. Its elegance and beauty are manifest whether appreciated from near or from a distance. It looks both novel and classic. Encompassing a broad scene, it reveals the deep knowledge of the artist. “Highlands and Green Seas.” truly is a rare masterpiece in this world. This book contains a total of seventy pictures of scenes from the six themes and “Highlands and Green Seas.” Under the personal guidance of Hang Kung Yee, a high-tech art studio is now producing three-dimensional artistic images never before seen in this world that are created from some of his sculpture landscapes.

Our publishing company asked Hang Kung if he himself would tell us the meaning behind the title “Hang Kung’s Six Themes.” He replied that his hope is to forever contribute to mankind, to the public, all that is beautiful. He is forever benefiting the public. That is why it is only appropriate that his Chinese name, Hang Kung, means “forever benefiting the public.”

Hang Kung is truly humble. He said that he is far from understanding art. Hang Kung first thanked his father, to whom he owes all of his accomplishments. His father taught him a Dharma treasure that led to the opening of his wisdom and that allowed him to reach the highest levels of art in just a few months. Hang Kung stated that he has a twelve-year-old sister, Jinba Rinpoche, who does not understand art at this time. However, around March, their father will also teach her a Dharma to open her wisdom. Hang Kung said that within five months after she is taught that Dharma, she will reach the highest level of sculptured landscape art, and she will also publish a book of her works.

Thus, Hang Kung expressed his appreciation of his father’s guidance as well as the assistance and material he has received from other artists and from nature. He also is grateful toward the teachers who have taught him as well as his elder fellow disciples who have supported him. He said that without all these sources of help, he would not have been able to create these works of art.

Hang Kung has stated that art is forever boundless. This relates to the meaning of his full Chinese name, Hang Kung Yee. The Chinese character “yee” means “universal principles of truth.” Thus, his full name means “forever benefiting the public based upon universal principles of truth.” His wish is to bring beautiful compositions to all living beings for their enjoyment.

International Arts Publishing

January 2004