Chapter 62 Li Shutong/A full moon shines on the heart of heaven

Li Shutong (Master Hongyi) (1880-1942), also known as Li Xishuang, Li An, and Li Liang.Born in Tianjin, his ancestral home is Pinghu, Zhejiang (one said Shanxi).He is a legendary figure in modern Chinese culture, art and Buddhist culture. He is quite accomplished in poetry, music, calligraphy, painting and drama.After returning from studying in Japan, he served as a teacher and editor, and was ordained as a monk.He is not only a talented art educator, but also a generation of eminent monks. Li Shutong combines poetry, ci, calligraphy, painting, seal cutting, music, drama, and literature in one, and has pioneered China's splendid culture and art in many fields.He was the first pioneer to spread western music to China. His "Farewell Song" has been sung for decades and has become a classic.After becoming a monk, he devoted himself to the Buddha, did not eat after noon, intensively studied the Law, and promoted Buddhism. He was regarded as the eleventh generation ancestor of the Law School by Buddhist disciples.He has left inexhaustible spiritual wealth for the world, and his life is full of legends. He is a typical figure in China who is extremely gorgeous and returns to mediocrity.Zhao Puchu commented on the master's life as: "Endless rare treasures are offered to the eyes of the world, and a round moon shines on the heart of heaven."

In terms of music, Li Shutong is a master of lyrics and composition, and he is also the earliest person in China who has achieved fruitful achievements in the creation of music songs and has far-reaching influence.He edited China's first music journal "Music Magazine", and he was also the first to compose music with staves in China. He was the first to promote the Western "King of Music" piano in China.He taught harmony and counterpoint in Zhejiang No. 1 Division. He was the first person to introduce Western music theory to China, and he was also one of the earliest promoters of "School Music Songs".In the 31st year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1905), he edited and published the "Singing Collection of Chinese Studies", which was taken as a textbook by primary and secondary schools at that time. The songs he created were extensive in content and in various forms, and they were mainly divided into three categories: one is patriotic songs, such as "Motherland Song", "My Country", "Sorrow for the Motherland", "Great China", etc.; the second is lyrical songs, such as "Secret Home", "Spring Outing", "Early Autumn", "West Lake", "Farewell", etc.; the third is philosophical songs, such as " Falling Blossoms, Sad Autumn, Evening Bell, Moon, etc.Most of Li Shutong's songs have beautiful tunes and catchy lyrics, so they are widely spread and have a great influence.