Manifesto on the Use of Enlightenment Power in Art Creation
A bird’s eye view of the formation, duration, destruction, and extinction of planets in the universe offers a glimpse into the cycle of life - from birth to aging, sickness, and death. From this perspective, humans are not even comparable to a grain of sand. When viewed through the lens of endless life and the indestructibility of matter, one would smile. It becomes clear that human potential is limitless, unaffected by life and death. It transcends time and space and exists as a life free from the cycles of arising and ceasing.
Today, humans live within the limited space and time of Earth, and the scope of their lives is extremely constrained. Even while enjoying the fruits of technological civilization, people still feel unhappy, unhealthy, and uncomfortable, burdened by immense physical and mental stress. Living in such an environment, how can one live with ease - free, joyful, and without worry? This has become an urgent concern. Therefore, humanity desperately needs to find a path of eternal light, only then can mental and physical afflictions, as well as the cycle of reincarnation - birth, aging, sickness, and death – be completely resolved.
Throughout history and across cultures, both East and West share a common phenomenon: on one hand, human beings create affliction and suffering; on the other, they exhaust every means to resolve them. This endless cycle is a profound chasm of reincarnation and the greatest unease of human life. While this unease has brought countless catastrophes upon humanity, it has also given rise to endless civilizations. Catastrophe and civilization coexist as two sides of the same coin. This is the profound meaning behind what Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism describe as “arising and ceasing are simultaneous” and “affliction is precisely enlightenment”.
However, all living beings dwell within illusions they themselves have created. Different thoughts and behaviors give rise to various virtual worlds, forming diverse modes of existence. Within these spaces, the gradual accumulation of barriers and fear – born from delusional thoughts and attachments - eventually give rise to multiple illusory realms, collectively known the “Six Realms of Reincarnation” (heavens, humans, asuras, animals, hungry ghosts, and hells; in fact, beyond these, countless illusory worlds exist). The root cause of reincarnation lies in the energy field generated by the activation of a single thought (mindfulness). Because sentient beings fail to understand the origin of this energy field - arising from thought itself - they become trapped in the cycle of reincarnation, unable to attain physical or mental liberation. The emergence of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism has provided immense assistance to humanity, enabling gradual understanding of the truth of the universe and human life. These teachings awaken people to see through illusion, cease clinging to self-created dreams, and master the principle of non-arising thoughts and an unmoving mind. In doing so, one may attain a pure, undefiled life that is true, good, and the beautiful.
Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism are neither religions nor philosophies; they are a form of education. Their purpose is to inspire and empirically demonstrate the true nature of the universe and human life, enabling all living beings to understand the relationship between existence and the cosmos. Through this understanding, one may live joyfully and freely - beyond birth, aging, sickness, and death - and enter eternal enlightenment. Thus, Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism embody enlightened wisdom that comprehends all phenomena in the universe, while their teachings serve as methods for such understanding. Everyone can become a Buddha, attain Daoist immortality, or embody the Confucian ideal; everyone possesses the potential for enlightenment, which is the essence of all things. This potential creates cause and effect and has the power to transform everything. A single thought of goodness makes one a Confucian scholar; the emptiness of a single thought makes one a Daoist immortal; a single enlightened thought makes one a Buddha. All phenomena and spirits arise from this single thought, and all can be extinguished by it.
Whoever can apply their enlightenment power and cultivate mastery over the mind can attain Buddhahood, Daoist immortality, or turn into an accomplished Confucian scholar. The greatest function of enlightenment power is wisdom. Using the vast power of wisdom to illuminate all phenomena in the universe is a wondrous method. When one lives with the awareness of enlightenment, the joys and sorrows of daily life - sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy flavors of existence - immediately become “flowers in the mirror, the moon on water”. All worries and suffering vanish instantly, leaving behind a boundless, carefree state of mind, no longer lost in the phenomena of all existence. This is the marvelous function of enlightenment power.
My artistic creation is based on a cosmic and humanistic perspective grounded in enlightenment power. Through wisdom, I seek to understand and practice the theories and methods of enlightenment while simultaneously expressing universal phenomena within my paintings. My hope is that the creative process itself reveals the truth of the universe and human life, inspiring deep reflections and insight. Through this, viewers may gradually free themselves from afflictions, uncover a serene inner world and restore the unborn and undying true self.
Representing the myriad phenomena of the universe and the essence of the self within a painting is a vital process in artistic creation and a profound expression of self-awareness. I begin with a completely abstract ink painting style to convey the vast and wondrous imagery of the universe, then integrate semi-representational forms within the abstraction. Throughout this process, the union of intention and enlightenment power is repeatedly inhaled and exhaled. The force will continuously present new artworks - transcending both representational and abstract styles – I enter and exit the ever-renewing essence of life.
Wisdom is art, and art is life. At present, creation itself has entered the realm of “no-self” (selflessness), and daily life has become a revelation of wisdom, echoing the Mahayana Buddhism’s principle of non-obstruction among phenomena. Eating, sleeping, humor, or even anger all becomes moments of inspiration. The core of creation lies in the union of mind (consciousness) and form (phenomenon), the harmony of feeling and wisdom. By gradually penetrating true nature, one fully embodies a way of life characterized by roaming freely and independently, a pleasant state of mind, and effortless action - aligned naturally with one’s true nature, without force or artificial striving. This state serves as a direct and powerful awakening for the viewer, triggering profound self-reflection. Through artistic inspiration, viewers are guided toward realization of the true nature of the cosmos and life itself. This is an education of self-awakening and a Prajna (wisdom) journey that unites creator and viewer.
The essence of this creation is a manifestation of Samadhi,[1] it is also the fleeting phenomenon of minds simultaneously arising and ceasing, and the most vivid portrayal of the unborn and undying nature of all sentient beings. At this moment, the painting continuously radiates boundless enlightenment power, manifesting awe-inspiring force through states of mind, spiritual cultivation, Samadhi, and focused awareness. It emits an energy that shatters constraints and transcends the universe, like the surging ocean waves - an extraordinary force that penetrates both spirit and matter. This manifestation completely transcends conventional artistic realms, leading one into the profound, mysterious domain enlightenment power, and breaking free from doctrinal paradigms that have governed artistic creation in both East and West. Thus, an empirical approach emerges - creating works based on the concept of “shattering the universe and recreating the universe”.
Therefore, the continuous expansion of perceptual capacity to recreate all phenomena in the universe has long surpassed the boundaries of conventional art. Enlightenment power can fully liberate one from birth and death, directly revealing the mind that is neither born nor dying. In life, this manifests as wisdom arising from meditation or in-depth study, capable of penetrating reality and realizing the absence of inherent, immutable nature in all phenomena. In art, it appears as enlightened creation. Art merely employs one ten-thousandth of our enlightenment power, manifesting it between heaven and earth. Yet from this fraction, the true nature of all worldly phenomena – and the vast universe itself – is revealed. Through these paintings, the public may understand the origin of life, free themselves from worries and anxieties, and create a truly liberated living space. In essence, everyone has the power to create and transform everything. Ultimately, one transcends life and death and personally witnesses eternity.
Enlightenment power is inexhaustible, limitless, omnipresent and readily available. When mind and body are fully purified, this power naturally manifests. Enlightenment is the living source of life itself; the universe is but a single drop within it. Enlightenment power creates the universe, and the universe returns to enlightenment power. Enlightenment power is your inherent, pure true self - the essence of all sentient beings and the source of all things.
Lay Practitioner Xiao-Yao (Free and Unfettered)
year for a moment
[1] Samadhi usually denotes the highest level of pure concentration and contemplation. There are many degrees and types of Samadhi. The highest level is Suramgama. Attainment of this state will allow the achievement of the Buddhist pure perspective wherein you will see how we were all once eternal formless energy. Originally all beings were indestructible, were unaffected by reincarnation cycles and were perfect in every way. We were relaxed and untouched, and we could create all types of phenomena. We shared the same original Buddha quality. However, through attachments, discrimination and wondering thoughts, we became form and were no longer joined as one energy. Suramgama is Amitabha.
Original Chinese version dated: 2000
English translation revised: 2026
“覺能藝創” 宣言
於宇宙中鳥瞰星球的成住壞滅, 透視生命的生老病死，你會發現人類連一粒沙都不如。如果從生命無盡，物質不滅的角度去看，你會莞薾一笑！原來人的潛能是無限的，既不受生死影響，又沒有時空的隔閡，而是亳無生滅現象的生命體。
今日人類生活在地球有限的時空裡，生活的範疇甚為有限。就算享受科技文明的成果，卻依然不快樂、不健康、不自在、身心感受到極大的壓力。生活在如此的環境中，如何能活得自在、逍遙、喜悅、過一個無憂無慮的日子，誠然是當務之急。因此人類極需要找出一條永恆光明的大道，始能徹底解決身心的煩惱與生老病死的輪迴。.
縱觀古今中外，無論東方西方，有個共同現象，就是人類一面製造煩惱痛苦，一面又想盡辦法解決痛苦煩惱。這真是一種永無止息的輪迴深淵， 也是人類生活上最大的不安。這個不安帶給人們無數的浩劫，但也讓眾生造出無數的文明。浩劫與文明並存，一體兩面。這也就是佛道儒三家所說的生滅同時，煩惱即覺悟的深意。
然而一切生靈則活在自己造成的夢幻之中，因此，不同的思想行為造成了各式各樣的虛擬世界，形成千變萬化的生存空間。在這樣的空間中，逐漸因妄想執著的不同而產生隔礙與恐懼，最後形成了多樣的虛幻世界，簡稱為六道輪迴(天、人、修羅、畜牲、餓鬼、地獄、其實除此之外還有無數的虛幻世界)。而輪迴的成因，即是心念起動所造之波動而形成的磁場。因為眾生不明白造成這個磁場的原因(起心動念)，於是人們迷在輪迴的狀態當中，身心難得解脫。而佛道儒的出現確實給予人類極大的幫助，使其逐步了解宇宙人生的真相。它喚醒大眾堪破迷境，不再執著於自造的夢幻泡影， 並且真正掌握不起心、不動念的真理，進而達到真、善、美的無染生活。
而佛道儒非宗教，也非哲學，它是一種教育。這個教育的觀點就是啟發與實證宇宙人生的真實現象，讓一切生靈真正了解生命與宇宙萬有的關係。能夠喜悅、自在的生活，不再生老病死，而進入永恆的覺悟之中。因此佛道儒是徹底了悟宇宙萬有的覺靈，而其理論就是了解萬事萬物的方法。人人都能成佛成道成儒，人人都有覺悟的潛能，而這個覺能就是一切萬物的本體。它能造因成果，它能變化一切。一念善，成儒；一念虛，成道；一念覺，成佛。萬事萬靈由它所成，亦由它所滅。
誰能用覺能掌控心念，誰就能成佛成道成儒。而覺能的大用就是慧。用智慧的大能去照見宇宙萬有的現象，就是妙法。當你用覺悟的觀念去生活時，日常的喜怒哀樂，酸甜苦辣，立刻成了鏡花水月，一切煩惱苦痛，剎那煙消雲散，形成了海闊天空的自在心境，不再迷失於萬有的現象中，這就是覺能的妙用。
吾人從事藝術創作，其理念即是本著覺能的宇宙人生觀，用智慧去體悟、實行覺能的理論與方法，同時表現宇宙萬有之現象，創造於畫作之中。 希望借由藝創的過程，呈現出宇宙人生的真相，或可啟發人們的深思與體悟，漸漸離開煩惱的枷鎖，展現純淨的心靈世界，恢復不生不滅的生命本體。
至於如何將宇宙萬象與本體表現於畫作之上，是藝創中一個極為重要的過程，也是自我覺能的重大展現。吾人先用全抽象水墨形態來表達宇宙中不可思議的意象，再用半具象形式融合於抽象畫面中，由意念與覺能結合的精粹，反覆的吞吐於創作過程裡， 不停的展現新的畫作，同時超越具象與抽象，亦同時出入於生生不息的生命本體之中。
智慧即藝術，藝術即生活。
此時創作本身己達到一種「無我」的境地，而日常生活也變成智慧的流露，如同大乘佛法中「事事無礙」的境界一般，連吃飯睡覺，嬉笑怒罵，也成為畫面上的靈光閃現。而創作之內涵亦是精神與物質的交融，是情感與理智的平衡，漸漸契入實相，完全呈現出自在、逍遙、喜悅、無為的生活風貌。這樣的狀態也對觀者是一個直接有力的棒喝，同時引發其深刻的自我覺省。借由畫作的啟發，推使觀者去體悟宇宙人生的實相，這是一個智慧性的自我省悟教育，也達到了作者與觀者融為一体的般若之旅。
而這個創作內涵其實亦是禪定的表現，也是心靈生滅同時的剎那景象，也是一切眾生不生不滅的最佳寫照。 此時畫作本身不斷的迸發出無盡的覺悟之能，不論在心力、靈力，定力、念力的境界中產生巨大的震攝力量，同時也散發出粉碎宇宙，脫開一切束縛，如同大海回瀾般，穿透一切精神與物質的超自然能量。這個能量的展現，徹底將一切藝術的範疇，帶入覺能不可思議、奧妙而深隧的境地當中，打破了東西方一切以宗派學說為主的藝創概念，成立了以 「粉碎宇宙、再造宇宙」來創作的實證。
因此不斷開發覺能去再造宇宙的林林種種，早已超越了人為藝創的範圍。因為覺能可以徹底解脫生死，直證不生不滅的自由心靈。這種情況在生活上是般若觀照，在藝術上為覺能藝創。吾人之藝術亦不過藉覺能之萬一，發揮於天地之間。亦由此萬一，顯本體於一萬。俾使社會大眾，由畫作本身去體悟生命來源。進而身無煩惱，心無掛礙，再造一個百分之百大自在的生活天地。事實上每個人都有能力掌握一切，創造一切。最後到達超越生死，親證永恒的境界。
覺能取之不盡，用之不竭，無所不在，隨處拈來。當一個人身心徹底清淨之後，覺能就徹底顯現。覺能是活生生的生命之源，而宇宙亦不過是覺能中的一滴而已。覺能創造宇宙，宇宙消歸覺能。覺能是本有而純淨的真我，是眾生的本體，是一切的源頭。
逍遙居士
歲在一時