Symphony Kukai took stage at Central Hall Westminster in London
- Winter Z
- Aug 24, 2024
- 3 min read
On 17 August 2024, the symphony Kukai took stage at Central Hall Westminster in London. The ethereal, majestic, and harmonious sounds from the East echoed along the banks of the Thames, transcending time and space, and sparked significant attention and enthusiastic responses from the international community.
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Mr. Li Liyan, Minister Counsellor for Cultural Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in UK; His Excellency Mr. Rohitha Bogollagama, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, and his wife; Mr. Robert Rigby, Lord Mayor of Westminster, and his wife; Ms. Junko Nakaji, First Secretary in the Cultural section of the Japanese Embassy in UK, among other government officials. Prominent cultural and religious figures, including Chief Priest Seelawimala of the London Buddhist Vihara, were also in attendance. Nearly 1,800 attendees filled the venue, making this a grand and unprecedented event.
The symphony Kukai was created in 2023 by Beijing Tianguzhiyin Culture Media Co. Ltd. in collaboration with the renowned Chinese composer Mr. Zou Ye. It commemorates the 1250th anniversary of the birth of a revered Japanese Heian period monk Master Kukai. Master Kukai studied in China during the Tang Dynasty under Master Huiguo, the seventh patriarch of Esoteric Buddhism, and later founded Shingon Buddhism in Japan and became a founding figure in Japanese culture. The symphony narrates Kukai’s extraordinary life through music – from his pursuit of truth, rigorous ascetic practices, and journey to Tang China for study, to inheriting the dharma lineage, returning to Japan to spread his teachings, serving as the imperial preceptor for four emperors, protecting the nation, and benefiting the people, thus presenting Kukai's great and legendary life in its entirety. The work masterfully integrates Master Kukai’s vast wisdom, boundless compassion, and great vow to alleviate suffering into a profound auditory experience, offering listeners moments of tranquility, enlightenment, exhilaration, and spiritual purification. The final movement concludes with Kukai's great vow: “When all akasa is reached, all living beings are enlightened, and nirvana is achieved, then my wishes will be fulfilled.” The resounding anthems soared into the sky, touching the hearts of audiences with a powerful and majestic grandeur that was truly awe-inspiring. As the performance concluded, the venue erupted into continuous cheers, and the applause thundered on.
The performance was brought to life by British conductor Derrick Morgan, leading the Orpheus Sinfonia Orchestra, the China Central Conservatory of Music Choir, the Scherzo Ensemble from the UK, and the London Chinese Philharmonic Choir. Artists of diverse backgrounds took the stage together, singing in Chinese with a genuine emotion that surged from the depths of their hearts and souls, moving the audience profoundly and stirring a profound sense of awakening within.
The symphony Kukai had previously enjoyed a successful tour in 2023, with performances in Lanzhou in China, and Kyoto and Tokyo in Japan. The representative of the sponsoring company Tianguzhiyin Culture Media Co. Ltd. shared a heartfelt vision at the pre-performance reception:
“Through this music, we hope to connect people's hearts, allowing them to communicate, understand, and embrace each other in a gentle and peaceful state. We hope that the symphony Kukai can tour different places in the world, touching people of all cultures and languages with the profound voice of Master Kukai.”
This London premiere pays a tribute to the rich history of cultural exchange between China and Japan, embodying the selfless and altruistic spirit of Master Kukai as a bridge tocall for cultural exchange and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations. We eagerly anticipate the symphony Kukai to perform across more countries and regions, allowing countless others to experience the compassion, wisdom, and great vow conveyed by the spirit of Master Kukai. May there be tranquility and harmony across the four seas, and may the world be at peace!
