A SYMPHONY by an orchestra and a Buddhist chorus from Shenzhen resounded in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday night, drawing thunderous applause from the Malaysian audience.

The concert was jointly presented by Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, the Sangha Chorus of Shenzhen Hongfa Temple and China National Opera House Chorus.

An audience of 1,500, including both Buddhists and people of other religious beliefs, gathered at the Wisma PGRM complex in the Malaysian capital for the grand concert, presented by more than 160 performers from Shenzhen and Beijing.

The 80-minute "Chinese Harmonious Music," China's first Buddhist symphony, is a combination of Western orchestra symphony and traditional Chinese Buddhist music. Themed "harmonious society begins in the mind," it is a ritual music masterpiece dedicated to the world by China, a country advocating harmony.

Malaysian Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Tan Chai-ho described the symphony concert as a "very meaningful" and "generous" gift.

When the finale titled "The Lotus Radiance" came to an end, the audience rose to clap their hands. For minutes, the concert hall echoed with several rounds of applause.

A Malaysian businessman surnamed Tan, who came to the concert with his wife, said he was deeply touched by the symphony, a musical form he heard for the first time.

"I am a pious Buddhist. It has been really worthwhile spending the night enjoying the concert," Tan said.

Marappan Raman, a Malaysian man of Indian origin, also lauded the concert, saying it was "very healthy."

"Chinese Harmonious Music" made its debut last year at the First World Buddhism Forum held in China. Malaysia is the second stop of its May tour, which also took in Singapore and will move on to Indonesia and China's Hong Kong.

Editor: Yan