SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Surgeon Sees Chinese Culture Has a Beautiful Spiritual Tradition

May 04, 2025

5/4/2025Updated: 5/4/2025

NEWARK, N.J.—Shen Yun Performing Arts presented the audience at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center with a beautiful picture of traditional China on May 4.

This depiction of China gave Sanjeev Kaul, a trauma surgeon, a different perspective. He said, “The overall impression is that, for the first time, Chinese culture is being shown in a different way. You’re seeing traditional Chinese dresses that’s different.”

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese culture that has been suppressed by the communist regime. Many are surprised by China’s values and traditions that have a spiritual message.

“You’re seeing that China actually has a spiritual tradition. What is associated with China is Confucius’ thought and Lao Tzu, but that’s not seen very commonly,” Dr. Kaul said.

Dr. Kaul noted the dances that feature the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, which is still occurring today.

Dr. Kaul said, “There was a lot of spiritual interplay between China and India because these two civilizations had deep spiritual traditions, and a deep history of culture. And it’s different today. So it’s nice to see Chinese culture in its original, authentic form.”

Many moments touched Dr. Kaul. “I mean there were so many,” he said. “I think that it’s too many to count. I think the last one was particularly very touching.”

Dr. Kaul referred to the final scene where the Creator saves humanity as especially moving. “It was very enthralling, and you know, better with this love, it’s very inspiring,” he said.

He said this was his first time attending Shen Yun and appreciated how the finale shows humanity’s divine nature.

“I think they showed a cultural tradition that in the East, the thinking is that we are divine beings having a human experience,” he said. And that we have disconnected that memory of being divine and having a human experience.

“So I think this story tries to show that connection, and then communism doesn’t like that. Communism likes control, [using] authority and power and doesn’t believe in religion and is atheist.

“So, there’s a clash of ideologies. So, they show communism is in charge. Communism in China, materialism in the United States,” Dr. Kaul said.

To the performers, Dr. Kaul said, “Congratulations on a wonderful journey. You’re representing a very special spiritual tradition. I wish you all the very best, and may the divine energy that’s driving you flourish and reign supreme.”

Reporting by Yeawen Hung and Yvonne Marcotte.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.