This article was commissioned for the German magazine Buddhismus Aktuell (Issue 3/2025). In a significant gesture of endorsement, the Editor-in-Chief, Susanne Billig, personally translated the piece into German and featured it in her editorial preface. Billig highlights the author’s artistic mission, to "create moments of wonder and openness", using it as a profound counterpoint to the limitations of artificial intelligence.
Editorial Commendation from Buddhismus Aktuell
"In our 'My Buddhist Life' section, we encounter a Buddhist artist who says: 'In my art, I seek to create moments of wonder and openness.' This is embodied experience. AI can speak about it, just as it can speak about anything—yet it understands nothing of it." — Susanne Billig, Editor-in-Chief
I hope to serve as a model or a bridge for ordinary people, sharing my journey of self- spiritual practice—how I developed the ability to bring comfort and peace to myself. In today’s restless and fast-paced society, such an ability is truly invaluable.
When you return to your authentic self, you will see the abundant version of who you truly are.
About Me: How Did I Begin My Spiritual Practice?
I hold two bachelor’s degrees—one in Bioengineering and the other in Finance. Later, I pursued postgraduate studies in Data Science and Social Humanities in the UK. After graduating, I worked in investment, managing asset investments for a national government platform.
My diverse academic and professional background provided me with deep insights and involvement in how society operates. Yet, this also left me feeling utterly exhausted. The immense pressure from work began to take a toll on my health. Although my career was unrelated to biology, the subject—particularly something important about genetics—suddenly sparked an epiphany during my most challenging moments. This moment of clarity awakened a desire within me to explore philosophy and embark on my spiritual practice.
In genetic research, there’s a saying that genes can express themselves differently depending on the environment. A "good" gene can potentially exhibit a "bad" expression due to an unfavorable environment, leading to illness. Similarly, certain ailments can arise and fade away without our conscious awareness.
It was then that I realized the importance of awareness—practicing awareness, to be precise. Through meditation, yoga, or various spiritual practices, we can bring the body back to a state of emptiness. This means not allowing emotions to disrupt the balance of our internal environment. By simply experiencing the essence of our human existence, we can truly connect with the concept of innate sufficiency.
This idea of innate sufficiency refers to the fact that every person is born abundant and whole. However, our minds, shaped and alienated by the conditioning of societal and economic systems, have grown increasingly complex. This complexity distances us further and further from the source of our abundance.
So, I decided to resign from my job and am now living a nomadic lifestyle across Europe, the Americas, and China. I experience diverse ways of living, study quantum mechanics and Buddhist teachings, and engage in art creation as well as work related to psychological healing.
Art creation is one of my spiritual practices. When I immerse myself in pure joy, I can feel the vitality of life. When I am in a state of flow, I experience a profound unity with the abundant source. In those moments, it is not "me" creating but the source itself manifesting through me.
I hope my works can bring peace and joy to others. When you are immersed in peace and joy, you are naturally guided back to the "emptiness" of the source.
Work 1: The Heart Sutra
The Heart Sutra is one of the most renowned Buddhist scriptures, embodying the essence of Prajna (wisdom). It was my first introduction to Buddhist teachings and served as my initial enlightenment. The text is concise yet profound, emphasizing the concept of "form is emptiness, and emptiness is form," revealing the impermanence of all things and the true nature of reality.
As many know, most Chinese people do not have a specific religious belief. Especially after receiving what is considered a very "advanced" education, it’s common to develop a dismissive attitude toward religion—perhaps even arrogance, thinking we already understand the objective world well enough. However, the Heart Sutra has endured for thousands of years, quietly existing, unadorned, conveying this truth: our minds are the creators of "reality," and each individual can only perceive their own "projection." What you see is a reflection of who you are.
This artwork, presented in a distinctive calligraphic style, captures the philosophical depth and aesthetic beauty of the Heart Sutra. It is intended to inspire viewers to reflect on life and wisdom.
Work 2: The One Who Reads the Heart Sutra
This is a portrait, depicting a person before they become a Bodhisattva. The text within the artwork is the Heart Sutra in Chinese, and this creation was inspired by my experience after reciting the sutra tens of thousands of times.
When chanting the Heart Sutra, my mind would be entirely filled with its verses. The act of chanting becomes a method of achieving a meditative state, which is, in essence, a gateway to mindfulness. It reminds me that the Bodhisattva is everywhere—the Bodhisattva resides within my heart.
As you focus on the sutra itself, the thoughts in your mind gradually settle. You stop analyzing the meaning of each sentence or the significance of each word. Instead, you concentrate on the act of "chanting," entering a state of flow, and experiencing a profound sense of peace. This process is incredibly beautiful.
Work 3: Instant Manifestation
In the initial stages of spiritual practice, there is a process unfolding. You begin to quiet your mind and observe your thoughts, becoming aware of the ideas you are attached to. There might also be some thoughts geared towards quick gains: what can I achieve through this practice.
In reality, when a thought arises, the outcome already exists. If you cannot perceive it, it is because something is obstructing your "vision" of it.
There is no temporal gap between a "thought" and "reality." Time, in fact, does not exist, as long as you are unrestricted.
Work 4: Zhuangzi's Dream of the Butterfly
In this piece, I delve into the philosophical theme proposed by Zhuangzi, a prominent figure in Daoism, who believed it impossible to clearly differentiate between reality and illusion. When one becomes aware of the distinction between reality and illusion, problems arise. This concept resonates with similar views put forth by Descartes, who also questioned the nature of reality. Through calligraphy, I aim to capture the fluidity of existence and provoke reflection on the boundaries of perception and reality.
I present this work here because, in actuality, whether it is Buddhism, Daoism, or other religious disciplines, I believe that, at a profound level, they all describe different ways of articulating the same thing— the origin of the universe and the origin of humanity.
Work 5: Year of the Snake
In 2025, it is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, where the snake holds rich symbolism in religion, mythology, and literature. Snakes often represent fertility and the creative force of life. This piece seeks to embody the transformative essence of the snake, drawing upon its significance as a harbinger of renewal and abundance. Through my calligraphic interpretation, I aim to evoke the dynamic energy associated with this iconic symbol and imbue it with life-giving power.
I believe that seeing oneself is a process of metamorphosis.
As we gradually perceive ourselves and shed the outdated "self-attachments," we attain rebirth.
Work 6: Green Tara in a Dream
Green Tara is the incarnation of Avalokitesvara in Tibetan Buddhism. She is one of the important deities in Tibetan Buddhism and is honored as the "Mother of Buddhas" and "Mother of Buddha's Karma".
There are many stories about Green Tara. The most important thing about Green Tara to me is that she is an image of a female incarnation. As a feminist, I think Green Tara is a very good bridge for me to get in touch with Tantra. She is the image of a mother, a sister, and a protector. She saves the eight kinds of suffering. She is a very rare narrative about female gods in religious history.
When I chanted the Green Tara mantra 3,000 times, I dreamed of a very gorgeous Green Tara image at night. It gave me the warmth of a mother. I felt very at ease and no longer afraid.
Work 7: You can pick the stars with your hands
After Green Tara came into my dream, I decided to create this Green Tara mantra.
Sanskrit: Oṃ Tāre Tuttāre Ture Svāhā. The mantra is mainly to pray for the power of Tara to bless us, protect us and remove all our obstacles, so that we can be liberated as soon as possible.
The day I created this painting happened to be the day when the astronomical phenomenon of the Planetary alignment began. The dazzling bright star at the end of the mantra was not intentionally arranged. I realized after I finished painting that it was exactly at the end of the mantra. It was really a clever coincidence.
The main intention of the whole work is: we originally came from the source of emptiness. As long as you can perceive enlightenment, you can pick the stars in the sky.
Work 8: No-form
No-form (Sanskrit: animita), a Buddhist term, is the antonym of "nimitta", which refers to the true reality obtained by getting rid of the secular knowledge of form. No-form Samadhi is one of the three gates of liberation.
I like this concept very much. I tend to apply it when I face complex emotions and thoughts.
I apply it like this: when we are immersed in a thought, very attached to it, and feel painful for it, I will remind myself that it is actually "no shape or image", it is just a projection of mine. And projection is not a real entity.
When you realize that you are facing only an illusory thing, just like a dream, when you wake up you always know that it is a dream, it is not real.
Work 9: Mountains and Seas
Mountains and seas are a favorite subject of my creation. My hometown is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and I can't imagine how I would live without the natural environment.
I can always get strength from nature. When you are in a bad mood, look at the vast world and you will see how small you are. When I am immersed in a certain emotion and can't extricate myself, I go to nature and I will know "I am not me, I am not my thoughts, I am not my emotions", I can let everything, no matter what is bothering me, I let them flow through me.
I surrender to this.
Work 10: The light boat has passed through thousands of mountains
This calligraphy work is derived from an ancient poem by Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty in China. It means that the light boat has entered a smooth road, and after going through hardships, it finally gets the pleasure of entering a smooth journey. This is also what I gradually feel after practicing. Life is indeed such a pleasure. When you no longer carry those worldly-defined prejudices, or no longer limit yourself to live in a very limited range with a certain restriction, you can really experience this kind of joy and freedom.
Work 11: Emptiness
Quantum mechanics and Buddhism both have the concept of dependent origination and emptiness. Dependent origination and emptiness in Buddhism means that all objects do not exist independently and have no nature. They are formed by the interaction of various causes and conditions.
Quantum mechanics believes that the universe is formed by the interaction and causal relationship between particles. The interaction of matter is the basis for the formation of the universe.
It was after I studied quantum mechanics that I began to take seriously the Buddhist view on emptiness. Buddhism believes that there is no such thing as a basic particle. This is far ahead of the development of quantum mechanics, which is incredible.
Man Hua
Founder, @TEAGOODTEA
This essay was originally commissioned by Buddhismus Aktuell, Germany's leading Buddhist magazine, and published in their 3/2025 issue. The Editor-in-Chief, Susanne Billig, personally translated the piece into German and featured it in her editorial preface as a counterpoint to the limitations of artificial intelligence.
We are honored to share the original English version here, along with images of the artworks discussed.
About Man Hua
Man Hua holds degrees in Bioengineering and Finance, with postgraduate studies in Data Science from the UK. She worked as an investor managing assets for a national government platform before choosing a different path.
Now living nomadically across Europe, the Americas, and China, Man Hua is:
- A published artist
- A Buddhist practitioner exploring the intersection of quantum mechanics and Eastern philosophy
- A calligrapher whose work bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary consciousness
- A researcher in psychological healing and mindful living
Her artistic mission, as noted by Buddhismus Aktuell's Editor-in-Chief: "to create moments of wonder and openness" — embodied experience that transcends intellectual understanding.
TEAGOODTEA is the convergence of her multiple explorations: tea as practice, beauty as healing, and commerce as contemplation.
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