“Doodling Chan—Venerable Youji's Art Exhibition” Opens at Fo Guang Shan North Carolina, Sharing Peace and Wisdom Through Doodling Chan Creations

Reported by Yuchuan, North Carolina, USA

Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, North Carolina held the opening ceremony for Doodling Chan—Venerable Youji's Art Exhibition on February 22, 2026, attracting nearly 40 devotees, volunteers, and art enthusiasts. The exhibition features Doodling Chan-style artwork, conveying the essence of Buddhist practice and guiding visitors to experience tranquility and awareness through each line and brushstroke.

During the opening, Venerable Miao Jou, superintendent of the temple, expressed hope that the exhibition would allow visitors to feel the focus and wisdom of meditation while appreciating the artwork, bringing that sense of calm into daily life. She concluded by sharing the Lunar New Year blessing of Fo Guang Shan Founding Master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun: “Harmony and Co-Existence, Galloping Towards Success.”

Venerable You Ji, currently at Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple in Australia, recorded a video message for the opening. She shared that she has loved artistic creation since childhood and, after ordination, has been able to continue spreading the Dharma through art with guidance from Venerable Master Hsing Yun. She explained that for her, painting is both a practice and a way of meeting the present moment; when the mind rests in the now, every stroke embodies Chan, and every blank space carries meaning. She hopes her works convey peace, ease, and blessings, bringing Buddhism into people’s hearts in a gentle and accessible way.

The exhibition tour, led by Venerable Zhi San, highlighted Buddhist themes and symbolic elements in the artwork, showing the intention behind each creation and the blessings embedded in Buddhist practice. Venerable Zhi San shared that Venerable You Ji often faces challenges in her process. For example, in her Doodling Chan piece Universal Gate Sutra –-Avalokitesvara with a Child, she fully inscribed the Lotus Sutra’s Universal Gate Chapter on Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in a circular composition. Due to its complexity, it took six attempts to complete, impressing the audience with her perseverance.

Venerable You Ji noted that she often paints late at night before sleep, sometimes losing track of time, and that each creation relaxes body and mind, evoking the experience of meditation.

Visitors were invited to create their own Doodling Chan-style night lights using templates designed by Venerable Miao Zhen from Fo Guang Shan Lanyang Temple in Yilan, Taiwan, extending the tranquility and joy of the exhibition into a hands-on creative experience.

Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Carolina Chapter board member Crissie Luo said the guided tour deepened her understanding of each piece’s richness, moving her deeply. While creating her own Doodling Chan night light, she experienced an unprecedented sense of peace and ease, realizing she could paint freely without pressure.