Over the past nine centuries, the Karmapa lineage and the Karma Kagyu school have made a significant contribution to the cultural heritage and artistic traditions of Tibet.
Many of the Karmapas have been accomplished artists and poets, and great masters and teachers, as is the case with the 17th Karmapa today. Indeed, a notable school of painting evolved under the patronage of the Karma Kagyu lineage, which has long maintained a strong focus on the arts, also encouraging calligraphy, literature and traditional crafts, such as woodblock printing and the weaving of colourful religious-themed thangkas (wall hangings).
As part of the 'Karmapa 900 Years Celebration', there will be a special exhibition of Karmapa-related artworks and historical relics, many of them being seen for the first time in Hong Kong. They include an ancient statue of the 1st Karmapa Dusum Kyenpa, a bone relic of the lineage master Marpa, and the renowned 50-metre-long Tsurphu picture scroll.
This depicts the ceremony releasing the soul of the Ming emperor Taizu from purgatory, and the scroll was painted in accordance with various auspicious clouds and signs that appeared during the course of the ceremony. The scroll, described as detailed in style and splendid in colour, is well preserved and regarded as extremely valuable.
Also on display will be some examples of Tibetan and Chinese calligraphy and paintings done by the 17th Karmapa. And with an eye to history, and what lies ahead, the exhibition will provide an opportunity to learn more about the sacred prophecy of Chogyur Lingpa, a document revered by the Kagyu lineage as recording the qualities and activities of past and future Karmapas.
The three-day celebration will also include demonstrations of Buddhist art and musical performances. Among the various contemporary singers taking part, Faye Wong (opening day), Cheung Chi-lam, Shirley Kwan Suk-yee (closing day) and Hsu Ching-yuen will perform Buddhist songs to mark a great event and an auspicious moment of cultural convergence.