On May 16, 2016, the original Buddhism themed Kunqu Opera (also known as Kunju, Kunqu or Kun Opera, one of the oldest extant forms of Chinese opera) “Wei Sheng Yuan” by Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe was performed at the front of the Mahavira Hall of Lingyin Temple before the Sangha and lay Buddhist disciples.
The Kunqu Opera “Wei Sheng Yuan” was adapted from Buddhist classics of Wei Sheng Yuan Sutra, Guan Wu Liang Shou Sutra (Amitayurbhavana Sutra), and Da Ban Nie Pan Sutra (The Great Nirvana Sutra). The story explores the themes of good and evil at the varying nature of human beings. In the form of stage art with modern language, the theme also elucidates the significance of exhorting people to be good and guarding them against evil.
It is a positive attempt to propagate classic Buddhist stories in the form of traditional Chinese opera in the modern world. It helps to inject new vitality into traditional arts with hopes of more Buddhism themed Chinese operas in the future.
About Kunqu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunqu
