<In Search of the Chinese Humanistic Stele Forest>

In Taoyuan Ancient Town on the southern outskirts of Kuala Lumpur stands the Chinese Humanistic Stele Forest. It was built by Datuk Kwong Han Kuang, chairman of Nirvana Group, to carry forward the humanistic tradition and promote arts and culture. On the first day of the third lunar month in the spring of the Wuxu year, Gengsan visited at the invitation of Mr. Chen Jianfa of the group board. Accompanied warmly by Dr. Lai Guanfu, Dr. Fu Yonggang, and Dr. Hu Chunyi, I toured and admired the garden. This landscape is like a paradise beyond the ordinary world; without seeking wealth, one feels inwardly at ease. A gentle walk around it reveals the thread of writing's evolution and the refined pleasures of poets and calligraphers. I therefore composed a seven-character regulated poem to record the scene and feeling.

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With four eyes and double pupils, Cangjie first created writing; on Yin-Shang oracle bones, cracks revealed fortune and misfortune.

The sage's teachings, hidden in Confucius' wall, escaped the burning of books; the Han clerical Stone Classics earned undying merit.

At winding waters, the Orchid Pavilion recorded elegant delight; Yan's sinew and Liu's bone left a boundless legacy.

In Malaysia of the Southern Seas this Stele Forest now stands; the finest works of the ages gather here for joyful appreciation.

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Notes:

1) Four eyes and double pupils: According to legend, Cangjie had four eyes with double pupils. This refers to Cangjie, the legendary creator of Chinese writing.

2) Yan's sinew and Liu's bone: A phrase attributed to Fan Zhongyan of the Northern Song dynasty. Yan refers to Yan Zhenqing and Liu refers to Liu Gongquan, both great Tang dynasty calligraphers known for regular script. Yan's style is powerful and full, resilient like sinew; Liu's structure is strict and upright, with firm bones.

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<Reciting a Visit to the Chinese Humanistic Stele Forest>

There is a Chinese Humanistic Stele Forest in a place called Taoyuan Ancient Town on the southern outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Datuk Kwong Han Kuang, chairman of Nirvana Group, established it to inherit the humanistic tradition and promote artistic culture. On the first day of the third month in the spring of the Wuxu year, I, Gengsan, visited at the invitation of Mr. Chen Jianfa of Nirvana Group's board of directors. With the warm hospitality and company of Dr. Lai Guanfu, Dr. Fu Yonggang, and Dr. Hu Chunyi, I toured and admired the site. The garden seemed like a paradise beyond this world; even without pursuing wealth, a richness of spirit arose naturally. Walking lightly around it, one can glimpse the course of writing's transformation and the noble interests of literary people and calligraphers. I therefore wrote this seven-character regulated poem to express the mood and scenery of the visit.

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Cangjie, with four eyes, first created writing;

The oracle bones of the Yin dynasty divined fortune and misfortune.

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The scriptures of the sages were hidden in the wall of the Kong family and escaped Qin Shi Huang's burning of books; the Han dynasty Stone Classics in clerical script have everlasting merit.

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The winding stream at the Orchid Pavilion offered refined pleasure;

The great calligraphic styles of Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan remain for posterity.

A Stele Forest has been established in Malaysia of the Southern Seas;

The essence of the ages gathers here to be admired and enjoyed.