In response to the invitation from the Chinese-Spanish Cultural Communication Association in Valencia, Spain and other overseas Chinese organizations, the Quan Yin messenger arranged to hold a seminar on "The Supreme Master Ching Hai and the Quan Yin Method" in order to introduce Master's teachings and their benefits to the local Chinese. The response was quite enthusiastic, with nearly one hundred people attending that night.
The lecture started with a talk, by would-be initiate Wang, who is a painter and a musician, on the benefits of practicing the Convenient Method and her encounter with Master. Ms. Wang dedicates her life in art. Chinese calligraphy, painting and music are her fortes. In her introduction, besides confirming that Master is a true living Master, she also expressed her high regard for Master's achievements in painting and music.
Afterwards, the Quan Yin messenger gave a brief introduction to Master and Her teachings and the Quan Yin Method. Then a video tape of one of Master's lectures was played. All of the guests watched attentively and often smiled and nodded their heads in agreement.
After watching the video, the Quan Yin messenger answered questions raised by the audience. Because the majority of Chinese immigrants in Spain made their living by operating restaurants, the fundamental condition in keeping the precepts, of not killing sentient beings, which includes keeping a vegetarian diet, appeared difficult to overcome at that time. However, after listening to Master's teachings many showed a willingness to try being vegetarian the best they could and to learn the Quan Yin Method. The Quan Yin messenger taught them the Convenient Method and encouraged them to practice spiritually and to pray sincerely for Master's blessings. When the circumstances allow, they can apply for initiation.
Mr. Yu, Chief Secretary of the Chinese-Spanish Cultural Communication Association, who organized this meeting, was highly respectful of Master's perfect wisdom. Both Mr. Yu and his wife have had very good experiences after practicing the Convenient Method. That night Mr. Yu dreamed about Master accompanying him in an extremely bright place. Mrs. Yu heard Buddha's Chanting coming from above her head during meditation. It was as loud and crisp as the sound of a large bell in a temple. An elderly lady, who had been a vegetarian and a devout Buddhist for decades, saw Master's transformation body during her first practice of the Convenient Method. She was so happy that she was dancing like a little child.
After the meeting, the guests purchased Master's books as if they were collecting treasures. Several boxes of books and video tapes were gone in no time. Many guests told the Quan Yin messenger that Master had sown the seeds of enlightenment in Spain. They only hope that when the time is right, they can have the good fortune and opportunity to invite Master to come to lecture in Spain.
After reading Master's sample booklet and news magazine, a homeless man on the street of Madrid, Spain, was deeply moved and wished to begin a vegetarian diet and spiritual practice immediately and to apply for initiation.
Mr. Fidel said, "Ever since I was nine years old, I have been living through suffering. I have been searching for the truth of life. I have endured countless hardships and seen the faulty side of this world. Not until today, after reading the Key of Immediate Enlightenment by the Supreme Master Ching Hai have I finally found the Truth."
The initiates in Spain shared with him the benefits of spiritual practice and taught him the Convenient Method. They welcomed him to come over to enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal at anytime. During the conversation, this young man could feel deeply the love from Master. His eyes were filled with tears of appreciation. He wrote a letter to Master afterward.
There is a Hungarian lady who didn't have any religious beliefs. One day her house-mates brought back Master Ching Hai's books, magazines and video tapes. She rushed to tell them not to believe in the missionary people who gave away those books. Her house-mates did not reply but just put the books, and magazines on the table. On the magazine cover, Master was dressed in a traditional golden Au Lac style gown. She took a glance and discovered that she had seen Master long before. Out of curiosity she flipped through a few pages of the magazine to see if there was anything interesting. In an instant, she was drawn by some kind of invisible force, not only did she finish reading the magazine but she also continued on to the sample booklet.
At first she only selected Master's lectures in the magazine, but then she started to read every article, not leaving a single, small item unread. Then she took the sample booklet back to her room and read it over and over many times. Immediately she rectified what she had said before to her house-mates, and said that the magazine and book were very good and that they should read them. She asked them who gave them the sample booklet so that she could go and buy the book, The Key of Immediate Enlightenment, because she knew that in the book there would be the answers that she had been searching for. The next day she began a vegetarian diet right away. She was exhilarated and her heart was filled with a happiness that she had never had before.
When our fellow initiate took the Key of Immediate Enlightenment book over and taught her how to meditate with the Convenient Method, she immediately decided to request for initiation. Not long later, with Master's blessing of compassion and love, she received initiation, thus fulfilling her wish and started her way on the spiritual path.
In March Paris is getting warmer, and shoots are emerging from the bare branches of trees. Following the steps of springtime, the fellow initiates in Paris distributed sample booklets and pamphlets on the streets for several days, so that more Parisians could get to know Master. Within a week, people started enquiring by telephone, wishing to know more about the Quan Yin Method. The propagating campaign was successful.
Because of their longing for Master, the would-be initiates who await initiation often have very good experiences. Thanks to Master's care, the friends and relatives of the fellow practitioners also benefit from improved health and daily life. A fellow initiate in Paris who often visits his aged grandmother, introduced Master's teachings to her. The old lady was very interested and listened attentively. Gradually, she accepted Master's teachings, and believed in Master's great power. Afterwards, she went through several operations, but she is still in good health. It is a rare phenomenon considering her age.
Before going to sleep each night, the old lady always reads Master's books. Her soul must be longing very much for Master's teachings!
During the festive season in Spring 1994, the Au Lac community in Victoria, Australia had organized a couple of exhibitions to welcome the arrival of the Lunar New Year. Fellow practitioners in Melbourne also took this opportunity to introduce Master's teachings to the locals.
The first exhibitions were held before the Lunar New Year at three locations, namely Box Hill, Richmond and Springvale. The occasion happened to coincide with Melbourne center's regular one-day retreat. Fellow practitioners decided to meditate until midday, then break into several groups to distribute sample booklets. The exhibition was packed with people; the atmosphere was warm and delightful. People gladly accepted the sample booklets from the fellow initiates. Several thousand sample booklets were quickly picked up by those with affinity with Master. It was not until dusk that fellow initiates happily packed up and went home to continue preparing for the following week's major exhibition.
The major exhibition was held at Footscray Park. Tens of thousands of people from every corner of Melbourne came to join in with the celebration.
That day the exhibition was filled with a thriving, lively atmosphere. Fellow practitioners had set up several stalls for the circulation of Master's books and the sale of vegetarian food. In front of the stalls, Master's lecture videos were screened continuously so that people with affinity could have a chance to see Her.
A little kid, who could not afford to buy, kept staring at Master's photograph and was reluctant to leave. Observing his longing, a fellow initiate soon gave him a small photograph of Master. The young boy's eyes immediately glowed with delight, and he was very happy. Holding the sample booklet and magazine in his hands, he kept saying, "Thank you." Many Australians were quite surprised upon receiving the free sample booklets. They respectfully turned and read a few pages before asking for the address of the center.
With Master's blessing and love, the exhibition successfully concluded, both the participants and our fellow initiates went home laden with rich harvests.
To celebrate the Lunar New year, the Au Lac people in Perth organized an exhibition in a major park in city central. The fellow initiates in Perth took the opportunity to set up a stall at the exhibition to serve both hot and cold vegetarian food, and at the same time, put on display of Master's paintings, photographs and publications. It was especially busy in the evening, when many visitors came to try out our fellow initiates' homemade vegetarian spring rolls, vegetarian hot dogs and salad rolls. Most important of all was that they showed an interest in Master's teachings. Fellow initiates stood by their sides and gave explanations to those wishing to have a more in-depth understanding. They distributed a substantial number of sample booklets and magazines, and invited those interested to come to our Convenient Method group meditation at the centre.
At the exhibition, there was a stall displaying concerns about the conditions of the Au Lac refugees in Australia, so that the general public was made aware of the fact that some Au Lac refugees are being held in detention centers in Australia, waiting for a decision from the authorities about their future. Because of the high cost in legal fees, many refugees cannot afford to appeal against the judgement arrived at by the government. When the fellow initiates in Perth learned of this, they responded to this dutiful call with generous donations to help the refugees.
Fellow practitioners in Perth invited a master of Zen meditation from Au Lac, Mr. Luong Si Hang, to visit our branch center in Perth. Mr. Luong has met Master before and is very respectful of Her. He sincerely paid his respects by bowing in front of a photograph of Master. Mr. Luong discovered that Master's centers, wherever they are in the world, all have a very good atmosphere.
A branch of "The Supreme Master Ching Hai Vegetarian House" was opened in Phoenix, Arizona, in February, 1994. The purpose is to introduce vegetarianism to the public and to provide a convenient place for spiritually seeking people to inquire about Master's teachings.
Master's sample booklets, monthly news magazines and pamphlets about vegetarianism are given out free to customers daily. Just a few days after opening, many people had come to learn about Master's teachings and applied for initiation. Visitors, vegetarians who follow other paths or the general public, are all very grateful to Master for offering such pure and tasty vegetarian food as well as a delightful, friendly atmosphere. The restaurant is the perfect place for fellow initiates to keep in touch with each other and to encourage each other.
Fellow initiates in Canada displayed Master's books, audio and video tapes, and photographs at the Au Lac New Year festival shows in three different cities: Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal.
It was the first time that the fellow initiates participated in such an event, and they were all very enthusiastic in preparing for it. Fellow initiates in Ottawa meditated together before the event, those in Toronto discussed how to answer the most commonly asked questions, those in Montreal brought a couple of TV sets, one for playing the Au Lac video tapes and the other for playing the English tapes.
All fellow initiates who participated that day could feel Master's meticulous care and arrangement. Those in Ottawa had an unexpected opportunity to go on stage to introduce Master and Her teachings to the public. Fellow initiates in Toronto reserved a booth quite late but they got a prime location. Their booth was in the middle of the exhibition area, where all visitors had an opportunity to watch Master's video tape on the TV and to see the display of Master's publications.
As the large crowd entered the festival, fellow initiates distributed sample booklets in various languages to them. Many people stood by our booth for a long time, attentively watching Master's video tape. Some of them bought books and tapes so that they could learn more about Master's teachings. The display was very successful. Many people came to know Master, and Her teachings are now even more widely spread in Canada.
A monk in Mainland China by chance got hold of some of Master's books, cassette tapes and photograph. Upon receiving these priceless treasures of Master, he was extremely touched and filled with bliss. When he returned to his temple, he wasted no time to display Master's books and photograph there for people to pay their respects to. He changed his years old habit of reciting "Amitabha Buddha" to reciting "Namo Ching Hai Wu Shang Shih", and has started practicing the Convenient Method.
When he has time, he invites the followers in the temple to watch the video tapes of Master that he plays. With Master's blessing, some of them are now complete vegetarians and practice the Convenient Method. They too, recite "Namo Ching Hai Wu Shang Shih" frequently. As they are very sincere in reciting Master's name, they have had very good responses, and feel much happier than before. Due to the eagerness of this monk in spreading Master's teachings, soon after many people with affinity came for the initiation.
There is a would-be initiate whose whole family are fellow initiates. He has surpassed the age limit for initiation, but he wishes to practice, and so he practices the Convenient Method. He meditates diligently at home every day and he has very good experiences. Apart from having visions of the radiant manifestation body of Master and other Buddhas, he often sees, while meditating, the manifestation of Master come to bless him, teach him to recite the Five Names inside, and initiate him. The internal sound stream never leaves him, and he often experiences the high bliss beyond this world.
This proves that Master is truly a great enlightened Master who can lead sentient beings to liberation. Master's love encompasses sentient beings in the whole universe. Simply practice sincerely, and Master will always give us the best help.
Every week, the Quan Yin messenger at the refugee camp has to go outside in order to report news to Master. One day, while he was waiting for the public telephone, he noticed that there was a pastor sitting nearby watching him with much attention. Then the pastor went up and made acquaintance with him, and they exchanged their experiences in spiritual practice.
After listening to the messenger's explanations, the pastor came to understand the deep meaning in the teachings of the Supreme Master Ching Hai. He also realized that Quan Yin practitioners are close to the Truth and benefit the whole world. He then asked the messenger to teach him the Convenient Method. Right at the public phone, after a few minutes of meditation, the pastor felt Master's power and love. He was deeply touched by Master's omnipresent energy.
In any circumstances, Master's love and mercy are always bestowed upon all those who are sincere in seeking liberation.