多元的傳承：馬來西亞佛教的實踐：第二屆馬來西亞佛教國際研討會論文集=Multi Tradition: The Practice of Malaysian Buddhism: Proceeding of the 2nd International Conference on Malaysian Buddhism
Master Chok Mor was best known certainly and highly talented in his poetry, calligraphy and painting. Walking around the temple premises, one will be able to enjoy many of Master’s works and masterpiece at every corner. However, the present academic circle still lacks this aspect of such the research in Master Chok Mor’s art piece although his works having highly influential towards Malaysian Buddhists and artistic circle. Therefore, this article attempts to make a breakthrough in order to perform a thorough exploration into the Master’s paintings. First of all, this article reorganizes systematically about Master Chok Mor’s experience in Zen practice to further discuss the foundation as the base with his profound and abstruse principles in the paintings. Secondly, it is followed by the analysis of Master’s principle of Zen elements applied in the paintings. The Master studied Buddhism and Zen retreats before he learned to paint. Since then, Master already had cumulative years of profound Buddhist knowledge and cultivation. This exactly gave fresh impetus to the cause in his paintings. Master Chok Mor's skill was inherited from Mr. Gao Jianfu who founded the Lingnan school of art painting. Mr. Gao was known as the Lingnan Master with his emphasis valued on painting innovation. This school matched very correspondingly and naturally to Master Chok Mor's personality. The Master’s epiphany moment of Zen mixed well with his non affected cogitation abilities integrated gently in the works creation. Undoubtedly, the secret of profound and abstruse principles of Zen could be found on the Master’s works. The Master’s natural refined personality is well portrayed in his works, in particular the portraits, such as Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, Arahant, Amitāyus, Cloth Sack Buddhist Priest, etc. The Master advocated art aimed to promote Buddhism. Therefore, his literary and art works appeal to both cultured and popular tastes. General public can easily accept the Master’s paintings and enjoy his works. Thus, one could savour infinite allegorical words which are contained in his paintings, for instance, the figure of ‘Contemplation on the Sound of Waterfall’ which portrays all sorts of the antithesis in showing the balance and harmony world. In addition, the figure shows also the character at ease and focused before it emerges further into the harmony state of compassion and wisdom. Another fine example is the figure of‘Cloth Sack Buddhist Priest’, which obviously painted in the greatest standard of happiness and joy; yet the figure seems actually calling the beings to comprehend in understanding the real meaning of life and death; the Lord Buddha and the devil. In summary, Master Chok Mor’s paintings seem could lead beings towards renunciation by freeing oneself from attachments and suffering.
