On July 28th, the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto launched an immersive art exhibition titled "In All Horizontal and Vertical Directions, Wisdom Clears the Mind ofWorries." Curated and designed by renowned artist Henry Ho, the exhibition reinterprets Buddhist concepts through contemporary art, featuring spatial installations, modern calligraphy, and ink art. Enhanced with slideshow projections and other visual effects, the exhibition offers a multi-sensory experience that fuses the true, the good, and the beautiful with profound Buddhist insights.

The opening ceremony featured an art seminar on the theme "Horizontal and Vertical Space," where Henry Ho introduced the exhibition’s concept to distinguished guests. Attendees included Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto; advisors of Buddha’s Light International Association of Toronto Chapter, director of the Ontario Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Association, and local artist Sonja Hidas. Nearly forty members of the art community were present.

During the seminar, Henry Ho explained how the exhibition uses multimedia and sensory interactions to bridge Buddhist teachings with Eastern traditions and modern aesthetics. He emphasized that this approach allows viewers to experience the essence of Chan Buddhism through spatial flow and visual transitions. Describing Buddhist art as "pointing at the moon," Mr. Ho noted that the exhibition employs illusions to convey the multi-layered meanings and ethereal aesthetics of Buddhist teachings. The exhibition utilizes language, text, video, and immersive presentations to explore diverse "Dharma realms," capturingthe solemn beauty of Buddhism—from the "ethereal beauty, clarity, tranquillity, and quietness" of traditional ink art to the"containment and relaxation" of contemporary Chan and ink art. This presentation reflects the simplicity, stillness, purity, and restraint of traditional aesthetics while highlighting the depth and harmony of Buddhist teachings.

Local artist Sonja Hidas praised the exhibition, admiring Ho's integration of calligraphy, painting, and sensory interactions. She found the theme of "Horizontal and Vertical Space" to be unique, allowing audiences to perceive the wisdom and beauty of Buddhism through an immersive artistic experience.

In her remarks, Venerable Chueh Fan emphasized the importance of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan, in promoting Buddhism through art. She noted that thisexhibition represents a significant cultural milestone for Fo Guang ShanToronto. Through innovative multimedia, Henry Ho has successfully integrated Buddhist art with the local cultural and art community, offering the public afresh and captivating experience of Buddhist culture.