(Clearwisdom.net) Since February 10, 2009, night after night, appreciative audiences have packed The John F. Kennedy Arts Center in Washington DC, to enjoy the Divine Performing Arts (DPA) performances. Many Chinese people have been among the audience. Nearly one hundred Chinese people made a special trip from New York to Washington DC to appreciate DPA's grace and elegance. Divine Performing Arts, which showcases the beautiful, authentic and profound traditional culture of China, has touched audiences' hearts and souls on a deep level.
Mainland Government Staff: This is the Real Chinese Culture
Mr. Huang works in a government agency in Anhui Province. A few months ago, he came to visit his relatives in the United States. Friends introduced the DPA shows to him. He said, "This is a great show! A very successful show! This is real Chinese culture. The shows in Mainland China are almost all engaged in spreading propaganda. We simply can't see real arts any more in China."
Mr. Huang thought that the ethnic dances were unique and rich in variety. They were full of vitality. He said that he was deeply moved by watching the DPA show. He especially liked "Dance of the Snowcapped Mountain" because it so completely demonstrated the Tibetans' pureness, happiness and harmony.
Mr. Huang has seen many shows in Mainland China. But of all the shows he's seen, he said that he has never seen any that so perfectly manifested authentic Chinese culture and legends, nor depicted them through the form of dance. He said, "The domestic shows oftentimes only tell part of a story and rarely even follow a main theme. However, the DPA show depicts ancient legends completely and thoroughly. It was so successful! Compared to Divine Performing Arts, the shows in China are far behind, from the dancing to the music, from costumes to even the lighting."
In the past, Mr. Huang had studied singing. He said that the high caliber of DPA singers is rarely heard. He said, "DPA's songs show compassion. The vocalists sing with their hearts. It was very moving!"
He hopes that more Chinese people will be able to see this great show.
Educator: From DPA, I saw the Light of Hope for the Chinese Nation!
An educator, Miss Dong, who came to the United States only three months ago, said excitedly, "I am very lucky to be able to see this great show after being in the States for such a short time. I have never seen any shows that could match this. This is truly a voice of hope from Heaven! How are human beings able to produce something this profound?
"Throughout history China has always been a great country, one that was known as 'The Nation of Etiquette and Morality'! In the past, the Chinese people always prided themselves on having, and were known for, high moral standards and etiquette. Chinese people had integrity and chivalrous hearts. They were dignified! Men acted like men and women acted like women. But now..., I do not want to use any nasty words, but the country no longer has the dignity that it used to have. Although people say China is a 'great' country, what is it that makes it 'great'? Is it big in terms of area, or in terms of the population size? The real 'greatness' should be seen through a nation's high standards of quality and etiquette!"
Miss Dong said with tears in her eyes, "I am truly thankful for Divine Performing Arts! They tour around the world tirelessly and help us Chinese to understand our own tradition and become re-acquainted with our own culture, so that we may benefit from this. Nowadays, China has been engaged in economic construction and works, but those are all superficial. It will be meaningful only if people improve their inner quality. From watching the Divine Performing Arts show, I have seen the light of hope for the Chinese nation. I am very moved!"
Painter: DPA Has Now Become Part of My Life
Ms. Wang Haiyan, an artist and painter originally from Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, made a special trip from New York to Washington DC, just to watch the DPA show. She was very excited after seeing the show. Ms. Wang exclaimed, "It was so colorful! The dance and music are so elegant. It is so rich in creativity and intensity. I was so moved, enjoying the language of classical Chinese dance that transcends national boundaries. My soul resonates with these sublime performances. I feel that the spirit of Divine Performing Arts has now become a part of me."
She said that in the past, while enjoying the arts, her mind would only focus on the artwork or performance in front of her. But the ancient culture and the paradise that Divine Performing Arts revealed on stage was so vivid and real that it brought to the surface memories and special feelings that link her to China's roots, its past, and true civilization. Her heart was filled with the desire to seek the true meaning of life, humanity's heritage and civilization.
"I have this desire to get a thorough understanding of Falun Gong. I felt that obtaining this knowledge has a direct relationship with my personal life. As I watched the show, it became clear to me that, deep in my genes, I had a direct connection with Falun Gong. Perhaps I have been so busy making a living that I have had no time to think about some aspects of my life that are very important. Tonight, these two and a half hours of the DPA show have been so critical to my life!"
Wang Haiyan said another touching aspect of the DPA show were those sad scenes that moved one's heart. "However, those scenes did not overwhelm me with pain, but instead watching them gave me hope! The show turned the sadness into a touching resonance. I guess this is a positive side of the pain."
Doctoral Student of Music: My Biggest Wish is to Invite my Parents to see the DPA Show Next Year!
George came to the United States from Shanghai to study music three years ago. He is now a doctoral student in music. He said DPA left him with a pure and positive impression, and a feeling of rejuvenation. "I was moved to tears! In the past, I have cried while listening to Mozart's music. Now, when I listened to DPA's music, I was even more deeply touched. This music is absolutely extraordinary. It is so wonderful! I have been intoxicated from the very beginning to the very end."
George went on to remark on the startling contrast between DPA and a CCP (Chinese Communist Party) show he had just seen in mainland China. He said, "This year, I just visited home, during the Chinese New Year. I saw the CCTV Spring Festival Show. It was not an enjoyable experience at all. In the past, I did not have any strong opinions one way or another. But this time, after watching Divine Performing Arts, I felt that the CCTV show was such an embarrassment!"
George's parents are still in China. They are also artists. George explained, "They are very talented and very upright. But they are restricted everywhere at home. There is never any room for their talent to be expressed in China. Everything has to go through the political censorship, from creation to application. The entire process is blocked so tightly. It has been very depressing for them. This is also why they sent me to study here in the United States. They wanted me to make a difference in this free land of the United States!"
George revealed his biggest wish: "Next year, I would like to invite my parents to come see the DPA show!"
Teacher: Listen to the Warnings about Potential Disasters
Miss Yang, a middle-school teacher, recently came to the United States to visit. She was among the fortunate people who were able to see Divine Performing Arts. She especially liked the dance, "Monk Ji Gong Abducts the Bride," which remind her of the story called, "The Eyes of the Stone Lion" that her grandmother used to tell her when she was young. Her grandmother taught her to truly listen, read more and think deeply. She also taught her that it is especially important to have a heart of worship and respect towards the divine.
The dance "Monk Ji Gong Abducts the Bride" depicts Ji Gong warning a group of villagers about an impending disaster. The villagers treated him as though he were crazy and laughed at him. Ji Gong, acting with compassion and wisdom, abducted the bride, making the villagers chase him, and thus they all left the doomed village. In this way, he saved the villagers.
Miss Yang always believed that the gods would warn people before disasters come. But it would be up to the people to listen or not. It is easier for kind-hearted people to understand the gods' warning. Very recently, there have been many disasters. It might be time for people to listen to what gods are trying to tell them so they can avoid future disasters. She said that she feels that, "Divine Performing Arts is warning us and helping us prepare for potential future disasters."
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