Farewell, My Experience of Becoming a Monk at West Lake: Classic Collection

Author: Li Shutong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Hongyi Master (1880-1942), whose secular name was Li Shutong, was born in Tianjin and originally from Pingxi, Zhejiang. He was both a highly talented art educator and a revered monk. Known as the "master whose twenty articles shocked the nation," he excelled in poetry, lyrics, calligraphy, seal carving, music, drama, and literature, pioneering the brilliance of Chinese cultural arts in numerous fields. He elevated ancient Chinese calligraphy art to its pinnacle, characterized as "simple yet profound, complete and naturally harmonious." Modern cultural figures like Lu Xun and Guo Moruo regarded obtaining a calligraphy piece from the master as an unparalleled honor. He was a pioneer in introducing Western music to China. His composition "Farewell Song" has been widely sung for decades and remains an enduring classic.
Li Shutong received an excellent education in traditional Chinese culture from a young age and was skilled in poetry, lyrics, and prose. As he grew older, he became a charming and influential figure with a patriotic and righteous spirit, quickly gaining recognition in the literary world. This selected collection of Li Shutong's poems, lyrics, songs, prose, and speeches (excluding overly specialized Buddhist lectures) serves as a heartfelt tribute to this extraordinary and transcendent artistic master.