Cheah Thien Soong: Emerging Untainted - An Inspiration from the Lotus Sutra

Wisdom and Creativity Welling Forth from Buddhist Scripts

In 2014, Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) hosted the first-ever “The Lotus Sutra – A Message of Peace and Harmonious Coexistence” exhibition that promotes the dignity of life of all living beings. A precious heritage for humanity, the exhibition received unprecedented response from all walks of life throughout Malaysia. They come for the wisdom and values found in the Lotus Sutra and to explore the paths to peace and coexistence in the scripture.

The Lotus Sutra contains dramatic, philosophical and artistic descriptions. Since ancient times, it has greatly influenced many artists, creating countless writings and artworks. Malaysian ink-painting master Dr Cheah Thien Soong was also inspired by the life-affirming and all-embracing philosophy of the Lotus Sutra. To express the exuberant artistic values and noble spirituality of the Lotus Sutra, he has produced a series of ink-painting works with the lotus flower as the theme.

Dr Cheah was born in 1942 in Negeri Sembilan. In 1962, he graduated from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore. In his more than 60 years of creating art, he has absorbed the predecessors’ painting skills and techniques. He then kept on exploring new paths in art and created many new ideas and styles.

In order to learn the essence of the Lotus Sutra, he has taken some time off his tight schedule and studied The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra together with SGM study department. He then carried out further research by himself and continued learning.

Dr Cheah was delighted upon entering the world of the Lotus Sutra. Deeply inspired, he says:

“I have learnt new knowledge and concept, and entered into a new life-state.”

“This scripture is very close to reality.”

“There are many wonderful parables which depict the relationship of humankind and their lives.”

“The Lotus Sutra is a scripture that transcends time and era.”

All the lotus flowers appearing in the 28 chapters have their own characteristics and significance. For example, in the “Belief and Understanding” chapter, the lotus flowers are white, elegant and untainted by mud; in “Prophecy of Enlightenment for Five Hundred Disciples” chapter, the thousand-petalled and colourful lotus flower guides people to act good with its charm, and in “Encouragement of the Bodhisattva Universal Worthy” chapter, the lotus flower is painted in gold with white outer lines, a modern twist in design. The artworks’ backgrounds are either in gold or silver, signifying the lofty Buddha’s nobleness shining brilliantly upon all living beings. Dr Cheah’s paintings are all based on describing objects that can be seen in daily life such as corncrakes, lotus flowers, treasure towers and scriptures, to present the philosophy and essence of the Lotus Sutra. This method that explains profound meanings in a simple way fits perfectly with the cultural nature of the Lotus Sutra.

This exhibition showcased 28 ink-painting artworks based on the core concepts of the 28 chapters and 20 calligraphies of famous passages from the Lotus Sutra. It spreads the Lotus Sutra’s philosophy such as the dignity of life, humanism, pacifism and coexistence, opening a path towards hope in this modern society which currently lacks harmony and spirituality.