International Reports

Photo:
(1) Florida fellow initiates at an International Food Festival introducing vegetarianism and Master's teachings.
(2) A scene from the Vegetarian House, a refreshing style that gratifies both one's material and spiritual needs. (3) At the celebration dinner party, fellow initiates from Singapore sang a song of peace.
(4) Fellow initiates from Changhua introduce Master's teachings at the Exhibition Of Traditional Foods.

Report From Virginia, USA

Enjoy The Weekend With Master

Master, invited by U.S. State Department, attended a conference in Washington DC concerning the refugee issue, then She spent sometime with the fellow initiates from various centers in USA and Canada on the weekend in the conference room of a hotel near Washington DC.

Although Master told us that She had a health problem, She still talked to us as wittingly and humorously as usual, and mentioned the inspection incident at the airport, that the US custom officials had "detained" Her for more than one hour. It would be an unhappy experience for anyone, but Master still made jokes about it. But Master also said that at that moment, She understood more about the feelings of those Au Lac refugees in the detention camps, and their helplessness when attacked by the officials for something that is not their fault.

Master also reminded us to go to group meditations often, because when we meditate together, the spiritual power will multiply. When we meditate alone, it's like we hold a candle, and we can only see the things around us. When we meditate together, everyone offers and shares his candle light with each other, then everyone can see every corner of the hall clearly.

By the time Master left the conference hall, everyone was full. The result was an explosion of happiness. Fellow initiates were talking, hugging, laughing, smiling and showing love toward each other. This refreshing, open and bright atmosphere made the room alive and sparkle with light and movement. Because of Master, everyone had a wonderful and unforgettable weekend!

Report From Florida, USA

Taking Part In An

International Food Festival

In the latter part of September, there was an International Food Festival held at the famous Lake Eola Park, Orlando, Florida. Many different countries, having food stalls, took part. Our Meditation Association also took part. Besides the various types of vegetarian dishes, fellow initiates set up a separate stall for Master's books, pictures, cassette and video tapes. Master's videos were played continuously. The stall attracted a lot of people (with an affinity with Master) inquiring about Master's teachings.

This was the first time fellow initiates took part in such an activity. It was a very good beginning for the propagation of Master's teachings and the promotion of vegetarianism. We hope to have the opportunity to attend similar activities in the future.

Report From New Jersey & Pennsylvania, USA

Joining Hands With
The Boy Scouts To Clean
The Environment
Fellow initiates from New Jersey and Pennsylvania held a group meditation one Sunday morning in October. In the afternoon, they then, prepared with cleaning equipment and garbage bags, joined the local boy scouts to clean the environment.

They picked up garbage next to the walk ways in the park and around the gutters. A few hours later, an impressive result was achieved. Dozens of large garbage bags were filled and put in the designated areas. The entire area put on a new look. Such a meaningful activity made the fellow practitioners who participated feel that they themselves benefited greatly.

Report From Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Participating In The Festival
Of Fight
In early October, an organization called 'Creative Resources Systems' in Atlanta held the "Festival of Fight" and invited several different religious organization to give speeches. The contact person from the Atlanta center was also invited to introduce Master's teachings at the festival.

There is an Au Lac supermarket in Atlanta that welcomes Master's books and would like to have more information about Master. At present, fellow initiates bring sample booklets there whenever needed, and also some magazines in Au Lac language for those who are interested. In the future, the fellow initiates are planning to set up their second book circulating place in this location.

Report From Canada

Let Peace Begin
At The Dinner Table
The first "Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Association Vegetarian House" in Canada, established recently, has now been officially opened in Montreal. Its unusual decor and management greatly surprised and was highly regarded by both the local catering circle and public.

What is praise-worthy is that the purpose of the Vegetarian House is not to make a profit, but to promote an ideal way of life. Therefore, while having their meals, the customers can naturally begin a new way of life that is full of love, joy and easiness of heart. Master's beautiful art creations and an abundant variety of other kinds of spiritual food that elevate the soul can be seen everywhere in the Vegetarian House. Both spiritually and materially, the Vegetarian House offers the best guidance for a life of truth, virtue and beauty.

Report From Oxford, UK

A Visit To A Refugee Center Near Oxford

Owing to the series of unfortunate incidents and forced repatriation going on in the Au Lac refugee camps in South East Asia, the Quan Yin messenger and fellow initiates recently visited a refugee camp in a suburb of Oxford, hoping to know more about the conditions in the refugee camp, seeing if there is anything they can do to help, and bringing Master's love into the camp.

Fellow initiates first conveyed Master's concern about the refugees to the contact representative of the camp authority. A set of Master's "Key Of Immediate enlightenment" in English was donated to the library in the camp, together with many copies of sample booklets in various languages. The camp representative explained the conditions in the camp, and was very thankful to Master for Her tremendous compassion. There are about a hundred refugees of different nationalities in the camp, but there are no Au Lac refugees. In the camp, they have a lot of social welfare and the freedom to come and go. The representative mentioned that should any refugee be interested in Master's teachings, we would be contacted accordingly.

Thanks to Master's invisible assistance, this visit went much smoother than we had expected. Fellow initiates now have an even deeper understanding of what Master often tells us, "Anything that is right, do it bravely!"

Truth Is Invaluable
It is really true that Master has eighty-four thousand methods to liberate people with affinity. There is one would-be initiate who previously liked betting on the horse races very much. In order to win more money, he started studying the 'I Ching' (The Book Of Changes), and did gain some achievement and response. After that, every time when he wanted to bet on the horse races, he got the same answer without exception from the 'I Ching' - that was "Don't go to bet." If he ignored the warning and insisted on betting, he would certainly lose very heavily on every occasion.

Later he switched to practicing meditation on his own, and at this time the 'I Ching' told him: "You shouldn't practice meditation on your own!" and it encouraged him to look for an enlightened Master. Therefore, he started to learn meditation from a very popular and famous meditation group. However, after learning for a short time, he realized that the highest achievements of this method would only be body health and physical vigor, despite its rather expensive tuition fee; he would know nothing about the Truth. He felt extremely disappointed at this kind of business like practicing group.

Extremely fortunate, in October of this year he got one of Master's sample booklets at a Spiritual Exhibition held in Manchester. After reading the booklet carefully at home, he could feel Master's supreme wisdom and magnetic field. So, he decided at once to become a vegetarian in order to purify himself waiting for Master's initiation. The other day when he visited our branch center, he told fellow initiates with affirmation that: Master is the real Master he is looking for, and anyone who learns the Quan Yin Method from Master is sure to get the highest Truth.

Report From Singapore

Celebrating The Supreme Master Ching Hai Day Together
October 25th was a day of celebration for the fellow initiates in Singapore, because a year ago, the Supreme Master Ching Hai was given the "World Peace Award" and October 25th was designated, by the US Government (in Hawaii), to be the "Supreme Master Ching Hai Day". This year, it was celebrated by holding a vegetarian buffet dinner at a vegetarian restaurant in a convenient downtown location. The fellow initiates and their families were all invited. The attendance was more than expected. From that, you could know that Master's attraction of love was especially strong. Although it made the place rather crowded, the atmosphere was very cozy.

Before dinner, a fellow initiate introduced the story of the "Supreme Master Ching Hai Day" to the guests. It was followed by the showing of a documentary video on Master's disaster relief efforts in various nations in recent years, as well as the October 25th video of the awards ceremony in Honolulu last year. Under a cheerful atmosphere, everyone enjoyed the variety of vegetarian dishes. After dinner, there were programs performed by the fellow initiates that included classical Chinese dance, local opera, telling jokes and a choir that sang in praise of the Supreme Master Ching Hai. A couple of Australians who were also initiates, sang impromptu "The Jasmine Flower" in Chinese, and also recited a poem, both in English and in Chinese, dedicated to Master.

The last and the most exciting program was a draw; the lucky winners received Master's books and videos as souvenirs. Upon leaving, everyone was fulfilled both physically and spiritually.

Report From Changhua, Formosa

Participating In The "Exhibition Of Traditional Foods"
In order to help more people with affinity know about the Quan Yin Method and share Master's love and blessings, fellow initiates participated in the "Exhibition Of Traditional Formosan Foods" sponsored by the Formosan Cultural Village in Changhua.

At the exhibition, besides displaying all sorts of delicious and nutritious vegetarian foods, there was also a full array of Master's books, photos, musical tapes and copies of Her paintings. Videos of Master's lectures were being played continuously, as well as Her songs and compositions. Many visitors were attracted by Master. Watching Her many wonderful appearances, they remarked surprisingly that spiritual practice could be so lively and happy!

In the Cultural village, the fellow practitioners passed out Master's sample booklets and magazines. At our booth, visitors often asked questions regarding spiritual practice and had interesting discussions with the fellow initiates there. Many people really admired Master's many talents, and showed great interest in so many of Her beautiful and elegant photos. A lady praised Master's extraordinary demeanor, that She is truly like a Queen! Several youths from Thailand were delighted to receive Master's sample booklets and magazines, and felt it incredible that such beautiful books were given to them free of charge. Even more unbelievable was that the whole array of different photos were of the same person! There was a young girl of about ten years old, who stood in front of the TV set watching Master silently for a long time. She also looked carefully at each one of Master's photos and made several trips back to our booth. From her longing eyes, we knew that Master's love had flowed deeply into her soul.

The departmental managers and the employees of the Cultural village also came to visit our booth and inquired about Master's teachings. The employees even suggested that we leave Master's sample booklets and magazines in the village for the tourists to take as they wish.

The exhibition which lasted several days had a happy ending. Many people got to know about Master and had a broader understanding of spiritual practice. The fellow initiates were very glad to have had the opportunity to spread Master's teachings and Her love. Through our work we realized, that when we have the same ideal in doing Master's work, we were very close to Master indeed.

Report from Hong Kong

Participating In A Food Exhibition At The University of Technology

The Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations' Vegetarian House in Hong Kong accepted an invitation by the Hong Kong University of Technology, and participated in a Food Fair held on their campus in mid September of this year. This opportunity helped us to promote the modern concept of vegetarianism, and simultaneously to introduce to people with affinity the profound teachings of Master.

During the few days of the exhibition, professors and students on campus generally accepted the concept of vegetarianism. They also showed great interest in Master's books. Among them was an Indian professor who has been a vegetarian for over ten years, and a spiritual practitioner. He also accepted Master's teachings with an open mind, and looked forward to an eventual encounter with Master. On the last day of the activity, fellow initiates gave the university library a set of Master's books in English and in Chinese, hoping that more affinities with Master would be created so that more people would be able to benefit themselves.