Through Music, a Journey into the Life of Venerable Master Hsing Yün: “Sons of the Tathagata” Legacy of Education and Compassion

Life News Agency | Report by Dao Cheng | São Paulo, Brazil

On August 22, the “Sons of the Tathagata” of Brazil presented the musical Venerable Master Hsing Yün – A Story Told Through Song (Venerável Mestre Hsing Yün – Uma História Cantada) at the Luminary Education Center. Inspired by the life, teachings, and legacy of the Founding Master of the Fo Guang Shan, the production brought together music, theater, and the arts as the children expressed their gratitude to BLIA members who have supported them over the years. A total of 180 BLIA members from across South America attended the 40-minute performance.

The project began in 2024, with its first performance during a BLIA South America conference, presented entirely in Portuguese. In 2026, it returned in a new version at the Illumination Education Center, offering students a renewed opportunity to learn about Venerable Master Hsing Yün’s life and the values embodied in his teachings.

The musical portrayed the Venerable Master’s childhood, when he was approximately the same age as the children who now participate in the project, tracing his journey from birth to monastic life. Although the young boy from the Li family lived amid the turmoil of war, diligence, compassion, and kindness toward others became deeply rooted in his character. Through episodes such as crossing the river to buy provisions, the chick with an injured beak, his journey to Nanjing in search of his father, and his ordination at Qixia Temple, the children came to know the Venerable Master’s childhood more deeply throughout the rehearsal process.

Among the stories brought to the stage was an episode from when Hsing Yün was only three years old and shared a small tin of sweets with friends from his village. In the musical, the episode is summed up by the phrase, “Everything tastes better when we share,” bringing the children closer, through art, to the value of generosity that marked the Venerable Master’s life.

The production was conceived and directed by  “Sons of the Tathagata” music teacher Fábio Aoki, who led 45 children and 19 staff members. The students took part in creating costumes, building sets and stage elements, musical rehearsals, physical expression, and stage preparation, working alongside educators and volunteers. The process brought together music, visual arts, theater, and creativity while encouraging the development of new skills, teamwork, and the spirit of collective creation.

According to Fábio Aoki, the Venerable Master planted seeds in the land of Brazil, and “it is up to us to cultivate them and continue spreading the warmth that the Venerable Master has given us.”

Bruno, Executive Director of the “Sons of the Tathagata” Foundation, said the musical represents a milestone for the project and a way of expressing gratitude: “The Venerable Master not only transformed our lives, but also brought the Dharma to Brazil.” He added that throughout the preparation process, the children truly put what they had learned into practice.

Venerable Miao You, Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan in South America, explained that the “Sons of the Tathagata” educational project began in 2003. Every week, buses bring children from an area 21 kilometers away to Templo Zu Lai. The current site of the Luminary Education Center has been provided free of charge by the municipal government since 2007. In addition to providing educational opportunities for children, the “Sons of the Tathagata” Foundation develops the “One Community, One Lotus” project for parents, through which they acquire new skills and expand their employment opportunities.

After watching the performance, Fernando Guedes de Almeida, district administrator of Granja Viana, emphasized the importance of the “Sons of the Tathagata” educational project to the community and said that, although he had previously heard about the Venerable Master’s life, he had not imagined how rich his journey had been. “As always, I will continue to play the role of ‘goalkeeper,’ protecting everyone and remaining available whenever I am needed,” he said.

Rita Reche, President of BLIA Lotus, who assists in training educators and is actively involved in the Children of Buddha educational project, said, “I am a huge fan of the children, and I thank them for giving us such a special gift!”