Introduction to Wule Symphony Orchestra
The Wule Symphony Orchestra (formerly known as Jinghui Guangxuan Symphony Orchestra) is the only orchestra composed of all monks in the world. The creation of the orchestra represents the major inheritance and development of the Zen music practice method. Music monks devote themselves to the cultivation of Zen music, pursue both internal and external cultivation, and cleanse the worldly desires and dust through the symphony of music and the soul. In this process, they not only inherited the loyalty, filial piety, etiquette, righteousness, integrity and shame in traditional Chinese culture, but also demonstrated the new development and practice of Chinese Buddhist Zen in the contemporary era, and also conveyed peace and great love to the world through music.
The historical background of the orchestra
The predecessor of the Wule Symphony Orchestra was Guangxuan Art Troupe. About a hundred years ago, during the Republic of China period, Master Hongyi (commonly known as Li Shutong), one of the four great monks, explored and practiced the way to promote Buddhism through art for the first time. The Zen master who inherited Master Hongyi's Dharma, explained the joy of the joy. Since he was appointed as the abbot of Hong'an Taiping Temple in 1997, he proposed the practice of "becoming a Buddha with virtue" and the idea of "three meditations" (i.e., Zen music, Zen tea, Zen forest), and started the practice of music Zen, gradually forming the initial prototype of the Zen band, as follows important development milestones:
· In 2004, with the reconstruction of Tiantai Mountain, Tiantai Zen culture began to develop and cultivate Buddhist art talents.
· In March 2008, Tiantai Zen Band transformed into an art troupe to practice the concept of music Zen in depth.
· In September 2009, at the International Medicine Buddha Dharma Conference held at Puzhao Zen Temple in Fujian, Master Guangxuan gave Wule five magic weapons, including Ruyi and Fuchen, and personally named the art troupe "Guangxuan".
· In 2010, Guangxuan Art Troupe was officially established, and Master Guangxuan personally designed the group logo for the art troupe.
· In 2015, Guangxuan Art Troupe further expanded to establish the "Jinghui Symphony Orchestra", "Dawn Choir" and "Vean Gen Dance Troupe" composed of all monks.
· In 2019, in Madagascar, the "Guangxuan Art Troupe" was officially renamed "Jinghui Guangxuan Symphony Orchestra".
· In 2024, during the European tour, at the request of the audience, the "Jinghui Guangxuan Symphony Orchestra" was officially renamed "Wule Symphony Orchestra".
Art and Zen of the Orchestra
While advocating the principle of "changing customs and customs, there is no good at music", Abbot Shiwule advocated "changing customs and customs, and then innovating the "music practice" method, he also promoted a kind of life Zen with the purpose of "goodness is Buddhism, love is Bodhi, and dedication is accomplishment". This concept makes the orchestra different from traditional professional art troupes and has distinct characteristics. Although professionalism is their pursuit, practice and being a human being are still the core.
Music monks strictly abide by the mobile phone and money precepts in their daily lives, requiring them to learn music and memorize music through immersive learning, purify their thoughts and minds, and cultivate a simple and pure attitude towards life. Their practice is not only artistic improvement, but also spiritual and moral self-improvement. Through continuous efforts, the orchestra has been continuously developed, integrating stage performance, daily life and music and art, achieving a perfect combination of practice and art.
Over time, under the guidance of Abbot Shiwule, the Wule Symphony Orchestra has continuously toured around the world and actively spread the concept of peace and progress. They are committed to showing the world the inclusive traditional Chinese culture that is most precious to harmony. Through the combination of music and Zen, they convey great love, goodness and beauty to the world, and contribute the strength of practitioners to world peace and progress. Such practice not only confirms the value of Chinese traditional culture, but also makes the orchestra a practical empirist of Chinese traditional culture.
The scale development of the orchestra
The Wol Symphony Orchestra was originally founded in 2008 as an art troupe, consisting of a group of monks who started learning music from scratch. The age range of orchestra members ranges from 6 to 54 years old, and most of them only start to get involved in music after adulthood, gradually deepening into this art field. In the early stages of establishment, the band faced various challenges, including shortage of personnel and funds, lack of professional guidance and insufficient instruments. Nevertheless, they insisted on meditation through music learning, making every blow and playing part of their practice. Today, there are more than 100 music monks in the Zen Orchestra, and all kinds of instruments are available for symphony.
Past tour history and future
Since 2011, the Wule Symphony Orchestra has started its domestic and international tours. Since May 2015, the band has performed in 37 cities in China (including Beijing, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, etc.) and has successfully expanded to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. The band will continue to tour Europe from 2025, continuing to convey the musical message of great love, goodness and peace to the world.
The following are the tour, award-winning experience and future performance plans of the Wule Symphony Orchestra since 2011:
1. In the first half of 2011, he was invited to perform in Zhengzhou No. 8 Studio.
2. On May 27, 2011, he was invited to perform a special performance at Wuhan 17th Platoon Theater.
3. During the Spring Festival in 2012, he was invited to perform the dance "Blessing Guanyin" at the Spring Festival Gala in Hong'an County.
4. In May 2014, he was invited to perform under the Lingshan Giant Buddha in Wuxi.
5. On May 23 and 24, 2015, three consecutive performances were invited to start a global tour at the Wuhan Qintai Grand Theater.
6. On September 14, 2015, he was invited to perform a string music program in the auditorium of the Chinese CPPCC.
7. On November 11, 2015, he was invited to participate in the 7th Beijing Traditional Music Festival.
8. On December 28, 2015, he was invited to participate in the 10th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Shenzhen Federation of Commerce and the Tiantai Zen Music Special Performance held at the Nanshan Poly Grand Theater in Shenzhen.
9. On December 31, 2015, the "World Peace Prayer Concert·Chinese Classic Symphony Concert" was invited to be held at the Shenzhen Poly Theater to perform the finale and ring the New Year's Prayer Bell.
10. On January 23 and 24, 2016, the Hong Kong Station was invited to hold a global tour at the Hong Kong Xinguang Grand Theater, with two consecutive performances.
11. On May 27, 2016, at the 5th Hong'an Tiantai Mountain Zen Music Culture Festival held at the Hong'an Grand Theater, it won the title of "the world's largest all-mage Zen Music Art Troupe".
12. From July 26 to 31, 2016, he was invited to participate in the 13th China International Chorus Festival in the Great Hall of the People, and held a special Zen music performance in Beijing.
13. From August 19 to 21, 2016, he was invited to participate in the 3rd Jinan International Chorus Festival.
14. From August 24 to September 1, 2016, two special performances were performed in Tianjin and one in Hohhot and Baotou.
15. On October 15, 2016, he was invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the 11th World Zen Tea Culture Exchange Conference and presented a tea culture performance as a representative of the Chinese side.
16. In May 2017, the original symphony overture "Su Wu Random Thoughts" was premiered at the 6th Hong'an Tiantai Mountain Zen Culture and Art Festival.
17. In August 2017, he was invited to participate in the 2017 Huanglong Music Season International Chorus Art Festival and won the Double Gold Award of the Chorus Art Festival.
18. On October 24, 2017, he went to Sri Lanka to participate in the Asia-Pacific International Chorus Festival, won two gold and one silver, and performed string and dance programs in Sri Lanka.
19. On October 28, 2017, he was invited to participate in the "Commemorate the 110th Anniversary of Zhao Puchu's Birth" event held at the Yanqi Lake International Conference Center in Beijing, and performed it at the event and won the award.
20. From January 9 to 14, 2018, three special performances were held in Shenzhen at the invitation.
21. In February 2018, a pilgrimage to the Buddhist holy land in Nepal, India, was invited to hold a special performance in Bodh Gaya, the holy land of Buddha enlightenment in India.
22. From April to September 2019, in order to promote the traditional Chinese culture with the theme of peace and great love and the Zen of Chinese Buddhist Buddhism to the whole world, and serve world peace, the band moved to Madagascar to cultivate oneself with joy and establish oneself with loyalty and filial piety.
23. On May 1, 2022, it premiered publicly at the Madagascar International Convention and Exhibition Center.
24. On February 3, 2023, he was invited to perform in Mauritius.
25. From June 10 to July 18, 2023, he was invited to tour Los Angeles and other cities in the United States and participated in the Idaho International Chorus Festival.
26. From September to November 2024, at the invitation of UNESCO, a performance was performed in Paris, France, and then a European tour was held, spanning seven countries, entering twelve cities, and completing twelve performances.