The story of Master Hong Yi

The Chokyi Gyaltsen Centre (CGC) in Penang is organising a charity show titled Above Full Moon to raise funds for its building.

The show promises audiences a deep insight into the history of the life of Master Hong Yi (Li Shu Tong) and his forbearance during the turbulent days of the Qing Dynasty.

Created by director Ho Lin Huay and composer Imee Ooi, this full-length musical about the Buddhist monk is in Mandarin with English subtitles.

Before he became a monk, Li Shu Tong excelled in poetry, calligraphy, painting and music.

In 1916, he underwent a 17-day fast at a temple and experienced the benefits of spiritual life, and took refuge in the Three Jewels in Buddhism in 1917.

Master Hong Yi was also a teacher of arts history and music at various colleges and pioneered the teaching of Western music in China.

The show will be staged at Dewan Sri Pinang from Sept 23 to 26, and tickets are priced at RM150, RM100, RM70 and RM50.

Showtime is from 8pm to 11pm, and there will also be an additional show on Sept 25, from 2pm to 5pm.

Those who sponsor or donate RM5,000 or RM1,000 and above to the CGC will be presented with a 30cm and 15cm blessed and consecrated Matreiya Buddha statue respectively, and two VIP seat tickets each.

The VIP tickets are for the premier show on Sept 23.

The CGC is located at 37-Y, Lorong Zoo 1, Air Itam Penang. For details, call Susan (012-3450528), Jennifer (012-5227889), Yin Peng (012-4269839), Bee Bee (012-4912528).

This article was published in "The Star" newspaper on Saturday, 27 August 2011.