The resident disciples in Hsihu were the lucky ones to catch a glimpse of Master just as She arrived in Formosa. When Master's car was approaching Hsihu Center, the resident disciples requested Master to sit on a sedan chair. Slowly they carried Her on their shoulders so that everybody could see Her. At the entrance, the crowd applauded like thunder. Some were so happy that they shed tears of joy. The considerate Master, knowing the earnest hope in everyone's heart, immediately descended from the sedan chair and walked with everybody to the forest meditation hall, to have a lighthearted chat with them. The compassionate Master was very concerned about the living conditions of the resident disciples, and inquired repeatedly. She suggested that everybody build little wooden huts to protect themselves from the cold and wind.
It was a two day National Holiday. Master sensed the earnest desire of the numerous fellow initiates, and specially allowed them to stay in Hsihu Center till the holiday was over. During what seemed like a two-day retreat, Master gave a few explicit lectures: "The Son of Buddha is in Every Home", "The Enigma of Yin and Yang", and "The Profundity of Body, Speech and Mind", etc. She also inaugurated and blessed the Lecture Pavilion in the meditation hall, the exhibition area for the Fairy Clothes, and the male office in the back mountain. Not only did everyone benefit from an elevated level of consciousness, but they also had great satisfaction for their palate enjoying in the plenty the blessed fruit, candies and biscuits. Everyone was both physically and mentally satisfied. Many VIPs came to Hsihu Center on Sunday, including the former mayor of Pintung, Rong.
During the inauguration of the Lecture Pavilion, Master blessed it with the a prayer for "Multiplying Descendants". The prayer for the Fairy Clothes Exhibition area was for "Prosperity In Business", and the encouraging words for the male office in the back mountain was for "Universal Peace". Although they were phrased very simply, their meaning is humorous and profound.
The thoughtful Master not only wholeheartedly took care of the needs of the lay fellow practitioners and guests, but She also entertained the Hsihu resident disciples with hearty conversation and even watched a humorous movie with them. In these few short days, Master had not reserved a single second for Herself. All Her time and energy was spent on the public. With the return of our compassionate Mother Master, the Hsihu Center was pervaded with a delightful, high-spirited and joyous atmosphere.
Although the reunion between Master and disciples only lasted a few days, the selfless love of Master was sufficient to benefit all of us, Her disciples, for the rest of our lives, leaving each of us with a permanent souvenir.
The crowd could not help laughing heartily when they heard Master's humorous lecture. Some of them praised Master as being very modern. Many tourists immediately asked for sample booklets and Master's News magazines, and couldn't help but read them while they were listening to Master's lecture.
Due to the nonstop flow of tourists in the evening of the Mid-Autumn Festival, fellow practitioners extended the time for showing the videotapes until midnight, when the last person had left. To the audience and those who worked that night, it really had been a full Mid-Autumn Festival evening!
The Grand Opening
Of The Vegetarian House
Taoyuan Center's Vegetarian House is opposite the Taoyuan County government offices, the most important administration district in Taoyuan. This place is an excellent location for promoting healthy vegetarian food and propagating Master's teachings. The business of the Vegetarian House is designed to comply with local customs. It consists of a fast food section, a natural food delicatessen, a beverage department and a section for healthy vegetarian food products.
Upon entering the Taoyuan Center's Vegetarian House, customers are warmly greeted by fellow practitioners dressed in neat uniforms with beaming smiles. Every floor is decorated with small potted plants. The green and lush atmosphere makes everyone feel relaxed and happy. Master's videotapes are played all day long on the first floor. The natural vegetarian food delicatessen stimulates the appetite. Walking up to the second floor along the wooden staircase one can see Master's graceful Fairy Clothes and artistic longevity lamps which are nobly and elegantly placed in the middle of the second floor. Prints of Master's paintings are hung on the walls which add lustre to the Vegetarian House.
Fellow initiates are grateful to Master for having an opportunity to serve others and wish that healthy vegetarian food will soon be spread to every corner of the world.
An Invitation Of Sunshine,
Flowers And Love
When fellow practitioners finished picking up garbage, they cleverly arranged an elegant lunch in the sun which was practical and yet beautiful and romantic. The whole table was covered by a tablecloth and once decorated with flowers, a romantic atmosphere was created. Because of the work they did earlier, the lunch seemed to be especially tasty. With the gentle sunshine and the harmonious atmosphere, fellow practitioners enjoyed the beauty of nature bestowed upon them by God while they ate their lunch.
Before initiation, they might not have imagined that they could do the work so happily, nor could they imagine that such a simple meal could, through some clever arrangements, become so outstanding. But, since they all have such a great Master who seems so ordinary, what is there that is impossible!?
After the cleaning work, the fellow practitioners from Nan-Tau, Formosa enjoy lunch in the sunshine.
Supreme Method Shared
With Local Citizens
In the Cultural Center Square, many people who were strolling about in the evening were naturally attracted by the new preaching van and stopped to listen to Master's teachings. Some had no sooner finished watching Master's lecture then they immediately bought the videotape. There are many miraculous stories of Master's Buddhist chanting tape having liberated numerous souls who had already passed away. Because of that, fellow disciples regard Master's chanting as a Buddhist gem, and many spectators outside also had the wise insight to purchase the chanting tapes without hesitation.
The first time the preaching van broadcasted at the entrance of the Municipal Government offices, fellow initiates chose to show the videotape of the award presentation and dinner party celebration of Ching Hai Day in Hawaii, in order to make affinity with the public in a relaxing and solemn manner. Many drivers of passing vehicles and other passersby stopped their hurried steps to watch the video. Even in the parking lot, many passengers who were waiting for their tourist buses were watching the video while carrying their luggage, and they were unwilling to leave. Affinity is affinity, and the people who travelled from their homes to other places were still able to get in contact with the living Buddha.
When watching the moment of our Master accepting the award on the TV screen, we as students are indeed sharing the honor of it. It is really our glorious honor to introduce our great Master and the supreme Quan Yin Method to the public.
Countryside Camp,
Delicious vegetarian food was prepared for the BBQ and picnic. At the bonfire party in the evening, the blazing flames warmed everyone's heart. Everyone shared happiness within the big Quan Yin family. The unique 'Preaching Vehicle' also played an important part in the evening party. Master's magnificent and compassionate voice reverberated in every corner of the farmland. The guests also enjoyed watching Master's humorous and splendid lectures .
The next morning, everyone was in the woods enjoying the fresh air and scenic beauty of the mountains and lake. Following the 'forest bath', fellow initiates went down the hill, free to pursue their own activities. Some meditated, some took part in archery, and some slid on the grass. In the afternoon, all initiates started on their way home, their hearts filled with gratitude towards Master's blessing for such a fine day!
The Happy "Children's House"
Since the children's house has been established, the parents can attend group meditation with even more peace of mind. At the same time, the children can have a happy time. Enjoying Master's great love, the old and young fellow practitioners are full of bliss.
The day of the Grand Opening, the "Vegetarian House" prepared a lot of delicate Chinese and western snacks and cool beverages for the public to share and taste.
The most distinctive feature of the "Vegetarian House" is how it is different from traditional vegetarian restaurants. It was designed to be a healthy, lively, unique place which enables customers to enjoy both their meal and the outside scenery at the same time. One side serves as a circulation center for Master's publications thus permitting spiritual seekers an avenue to learn more about Master's teachings.
The little fellow disciples are studying with great interest the comprehensive teaching materials prepared by their parents.
The grand opening day of the Kaohsiung and Pingtung Vegetarian House filled the restaurant with guests and customers.
This unexpected grace was really bestowed by heaven! On the spur of the moment, our center was filled with laughter and joyful remarks! One person claimed that he could not distinguish the physical Master from the manifestation body of Master at that instant; another fellow initiate said she only felt that the whole room was in glorious golden brilliance; yet another remarked that if the Western Paradise was not here, where else could it be?
Master stayed for five days in Singapore. Although this time Master didn't give any lecture in public, each day She still allowed everybody to see Her. For the first two days, Master met with fellow practitioners from Singapore, those who rushed from Malaysia and Indonesia, and sincere seekers who had affinity for acquiring the Truth from Master. She also gave wonderful answers to all questions that they raised. A few days later, over fifty persons received initiation by Master and began a new life! During the initiation, Master personally came to the venue and blessed and talked to everyone despite Her exhaustion.
During Her stay, Master joined a unique and unforgettable buffet dinner with fellow disciples. To satisfy our earnest longing, Master walked to each corner blessing everyone compassionately. It was a most cordial and heartwarming scene.
Spreading Master's Teachings
Fellow initiates were amazed and deeply touched by the open-mindedness of spiritual practitioners of various religions and sects as they visited our booth, cordially exchanging experiences and ideas. Master's power not only watched over the disciples' spiritual practices, but also invisibly influenced all sentient beings. As a result, the ideas and conceptions in this world will become more and more open.
Due to a national holiday in Singapore, large crowds of visitors came daily to the exhibition. Most passerby paused to watch Master's videotapes. They smiled broadly in appreciation of Master's wit. Some asked about spiritual practicing and many signed up to learn about meditation. Seeing so many people interested in spiritual practice, fellow initiates felt the exhibition had been a success. By listening to others describing the pain and suffering in their lives, fellow initiates remembered their own lives before initiation and could see how much they had changed. Master has taken away our miseries and given us happiness! Helping others to understand the benefit of the Quan Yin Method, we are very glad to share this happy "Method" with all.
When we happily handed the sample booklets to passersby, most people gladly took them and read them on the spot. The children were especially fond of the bookmarks with Master's photographs. A little girl passing by was crying sadly. When she picked up a bookmark, she immediately stopped crying and happily looked at Master's photograph. A lovely little Indian baby picked up a sample booklet and started kissing Master's picture joyfully. When we took the booklet from her to give it to her parents, she waved her little hands and feet in protest, showing in her eyes her fondness for Master.
Most Islamic practitioners also accepted Master's sample booklets. A group of Islamic Indonesian young women were very happy to receive sample booklets in the Indonesian language. They showed great interest in the booklet and they also praised Master's beautiful paintings.
An astonished visitor told the initiates that when he saw two of the lithographs of Master's paintings, "Master's Shoes and Fan" and "Enlightened", he knew he had already seen them in his inner vision. At that time, both paintings radiated purple light. Through such experiences we realize that whatever Master does in this world has been prearranged.
Because of the book exhibition, more people have learned about Master and the Quan Yin Method. The local meditation center has received many phone calls asking for more information. Some were even anxious and asked initiates when they could start learning to meditate.
The seeds of Master's teachings and the Truth have been planted in the hearts of many during the book exhibition. To be part of this meaningful and divine work is a happy and unforgettable experience for the fellow initiates.
Fellow initiates participating in the International Book Exhibition in Singapore which attracted many visitors.
Only Quan Yin Practitioners
Are Real Muslims
There is a recently initiated disciple who is a medical student and is a Muslim. During the initiation screening process, our Quan Yin messenger asked him, "As a Muslim, why do you want to learn from our Master?" He answered frankly, "It is because there is no difference between Master's teachings and the Muslims'." He feels that it is very proper to learn from Master. Even though he is busy with his medical studies, he still spares time to join group meditation. Actually, his case is not the only cheerful one, there are several initiated Muslim disciples in Indonesia as well.
This Little Girl's Soul Is Great
Intensive Meditation To Celebrate
Mid-Autumn Festival
The site chosen for meditation was a peaceful scenic countryside by the lake. Everyone meditated on the grass lawn and enjoyed the natural atmosphere. On the first day of meditation, many fish in the lake swam toward the grassland where the initiates were meditating and leapt up and down incessantly as if to welcome their arrival. For a few days, the sun and clouds in the sky demonstrated their most miraculous beauty.
The weather had been very hot and by the afternoon everybody could not resist the temptation and jumped into the lake to enjoy a natural baptism in the water. The fish swam around among the people just like friends, without any fear.
The weather was fine on Mid-Autumn Day. At night, the moon that rose from the woods was extremely beautiful! After meditation, everyone sat in a circle, enjoying the moon, songs, dance performances, stories and jokes and spent a relaxed and happy Mid-Autumn night. The party ended warmly with everyone singing songs like 'Longing for yonder shore' and 'Little lambs want to go home.'
The publications booth displayed Master's English sample booklets (new edition) and magazines and showed videotapes of Master's lectures. People showed genuine interest in Master's teachings and enthusiastically asked for copies of our booklets. Almost all of the available booklets were taken away.
The International Vegetarian House of the Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations, San Jose branch, also had a food booth to promote vegetarianism. The delicious selection of dishes attracted the attention of many vegetarians! Of the food booths present at the event, our booth stirred the most business by far. From the morning till evening, the long lines of customers seldom let up.
Because of that day's activities, we also created relations with speakers of some important activist groups. In addition, we brought awareness to all passersby about the atrocities occurring in the refugee camps, particularly at the Whitehead Detention Center in Hong Kong. Special pamphlets were created and handed out to those who wanted more information about the plight of the refugees. We got over 500 signatures from other vegetarians, and these will be sent with a powerful letter to local representatives in Congress.
Master's Love Spreading Towards
The Shelter For The Homeless
The Transition Project is a shelter for more than 100 homeless people who have become homeless after quitting drugs or alcohol, because of family trouble, or because they just got out of jail. They love the vegetarian food served by fellow initiates and also to hear about Master's teachings. With Master's blessing, there was even one homeless person who got initiation.
Participating in China Day
Activity of Singapore
Many onlookers were attracted to Master's lecture video shown in our book stall. Master's sample booklets and news magazines were also freely distributed there. Fellow initiates prepared more than ten various kinds of vegetarian snacks with their superb cooking skills. These were cheap and delicious, making the promotion of vegetarian food on that day very effective. The activity ended perfectly with Master's love and fellow initiates cooperation.
Sharing The Truth With
The Neighboring Country
The fellow initiates went around the center of the city to distribute booklets. By the afternoon, more than ten boxes had been given out. The fellow initiates who participated in the day's activity all felt filled with bliss when they thought of the thousands of people who were able to see Master's photo and to have the opportunity to learn about Her teachings.
While we enjoyed our delicious vegetarian food and had a good time, we still remembered our brothers and sisters who are suffering throughout the world, especially the Rwandan refugees. We decided to raise funds to help the victims of the war in Rwanda.
Several thousand dollars was collected from the four centers and was sent to Rwanda through the Canadian Red Cross Society.
Distributing Sample Booklets
At A Festival In Warsaw
Master Show Us The Way
When we got there, two non-initiated people stayed there with us, so
we introduced them to Master's teachings. After they read Master's sample
booklet, they wanted to practice the Convenient Method. They also helped
us find several big universities where we could leave many boxes of Master's
sample booklets for the students and people to read. A lot of people took
Master's sample booklets and read it right away, because Master's picture
is so beautiful and attractive.