International Reports

Upon official invitation of the King of Cambodia, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk Varman, Master returned to Cambodia to visit him and the First and Second Prime Ministers (H.R.H. Prince Norodom Ranariddh and His Execllency Samdech Hun Sen, respectively). The three major television stations in Cambodia had eagerly reported these meetings; as well as our retreat, praying for world peace.

Master first arrived at the Royal Palace to meet H. M. King Sihanouk. He received Master in a very sincere manner and presented a silver urn to Her as a gift. H. M. the King had specifically explained that the lotus on the cup represent the spirit of the Buddha. Master then present a Celestial outfit, designed by Her, to H. M. the King to be given to H. M. the Queen. H. M. King Sihanouk was very enthusiastic and opened it immediately. He praised Master's talent in fashion design, and was very thankful for Her contributions to the people of Cambodia. Prior to Her visit with H. Ms. the King and Queen, Master sent a disciple to bring gifts to them -- Her self-designed Celestial Jewelry and a Longevity Lamp. In response, H. M. the King sent Master a thank you letter. (Please refer to appendix 1, pg. 26)

That afternoon, His Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, Second Prime Minister, had specially sent the Provincial Governor and his army guards to invite Master to come visit him in his new mansion. Both the Second Prime Minister and his wife showed great respect for Master and invited Her to sit in the seat of honour. During the conversation, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen expressed his gratitude to Master for Her timely and practical help to Cambodia. With Master's rice contribution to the Cambodian people, a canal was built (Ching Hai River) for irrigation.

The next day, after repeated invitations, Master visited H. R. H. Prince Ranariddh, First Prime Minister. She presented Celestial Jewelry, perfumes and medicine as gifts to him and an elegant Celestial outfit to H. R. H. Princess Marie. Master's love and concern for their health deeply moved the Royal couple.

The First Prime Minister said, "The Cambodian government is also trying its best to help the people and the country, such as building schools, temples, etc. The aim is to raise the living standard of the people."

In regard to the benevolent policy of the Cambodian government, Master said, "We will try our very best to continue to help Cambodia and its people." (For details, please refer to "Spot Light," pg. 22)

Fellow initiates in Thailand were very excited to know that Master was coming to visit them. She first went to Chiang Mai where She was warmly welcomed at the airport. That evening, She invited all the fellow initiates to have ice-cream with Her, and answered all their questions cordially and intimately. The atmosphere was full of love and warmth.

The following day, Master invited all initiates to have dinner with Her at a vegetarian restaurant. A lot of people, including relatives and friends of fellow initiates, went to this exclusive and meaningful dinner with Master. Some initiates who had met Master for the first time that evening, burst into tears. Master said humorously that there were so many people at this dinner and if we were going to have dinner like this everyday, there would be more people willing to practice. In a very joyous atmosphere, one fellow initiate's daughter played a Thai musical instrument for Master during dinner which was highly appreciated by Her. That evening, there were many people who wanted to get initiation.

Later, Master went to Bangkok where a lot of fellow initiates were waiting to welcome Her in the VIP room. Among these were some fellow initiates from Shanghai who had never met Master before. When She arrived, all the initiates from Shanghai just could not help bursting into tears and crying very loudly. Their first encounter with Master was the most meaningful event in their lives.

Master tried to comfort them and promised to meet them again at the group meditation the next day. Due to Master's indescribable love and compassion, She even came to meet fellow initiates during the group meditation for the following two days. All the disciples were very touched by Her kindness and patience in trying to save sentient beings with Her unconditional love. During Her stay in Bangkok, more than dozens of would-be initiates were able to receive initiation.

After that, Master traveled to meet disciples in Hat Yai, which is in the southern part of Thailand. When Master arrived, She was also welcomed by fellow initiates from Malaysia. A number of people had a chance to learn the Convenient Method and some got initiated that evening. Master came to see them again the following day before She left the country.

The love and compassion Master has for disciples is very touching. She helps and encourages people, solves all their problems, and answers all the questions with patience and love, like a mother who nurtures her own children gradually; so that they will become mature and responsible adults one day. The only thing we can give Master in return is to practice diligently.

Fellow practitioners in Singapore were very happy to know that Master would pass through Singapore on Her way to Cambodia to conduct the retreat. They really treasured this opportunity to see Her. Even though it was anticipated that She would arrive after midnight, several hundred Formosan and Singaporean fellow practitioners still waited earnestly, hoping to see their beloved and venerated Master. When She eventually arrived at the airport after midnight, She was warmly greeted by thunderous applause and fresh flowers. She smiled and waved in response to their sincere longing.

Although Master's travel schedule was tight, She squeezed in some time to talk to fellow practitioners at the airport. We could see that She was exhausted after the long flight, yet She sacrificed Her resting time to meet with us. Master said that She was very surprised to find such a large crowd waiting to welcome Her. She expressed Her thankfulness to all the fellow practitioners there, which filled our hearts with joy and bliss. In Her blue dress and matching a blue hat, with Her hair tied back in a pony-tail, Master looked exceptionally pretty and graceful. Her radiance and warmth tightly gripped the heart of every fellow practitioner present.

Master highly praised the hospitality of the Singaporean people who had taken good care of the fellow practitioners in transit. She encouraged them to maintain this quality. When Master was about to leave, all the fellow practitioners were reluctant to part with Her. As She was leaving, they were already anticipating the next meeting with Her; and hoped this day would come very soon.

Before her initiation, a fellow sister would be out of breath after just walking a short distance; when the temperature dropped slightly, she would wrap up entirely except for her eyes; whenever she encountered any setbacks, she would throw things. Due to her physical condition, she laid in bed most of the time.

Later, a colleague invited her to make a pilgrimage to the hills. She bowed at every temple and prostrated to every monk and nun she saw; nonetheless, her life was still as meaningless as an empty shell. One day, she received a copy of Supreme Master Ching Hai's sample booklet which she embraced tightly as she cried her heart out. Her soul knew that this was the real Master she had been looking for.

After initiation, busily engaged in doing Master's work, she often worked until midnight without feeling tired. Now, she wears a normal amount of clothing even in the cold winter; she laughs when people scold her; she sleeps much less, because more time is spent in meditation. Only the power of the Quan Yin Method could make her become a new person after the initiation.

Some time later, her husband also became initiated. One day, while having a meal with the family, he suddenly cried out. Pressed for the reason, he revealed that he saw Master giving a lecture with many monastic disciples by Her side. The vision was so touching and magnificent that he had cried out in ecstasy.

On another occasion, he promised the Quan Yin messenger to help at the initiation venue. However, when it was almost time, he was still hiding at home watching Master's video tapes, after which, he entered samadhi. Suddenly, he saw Master walked out from the television screen and spoke to him sternly, "Get to work quickly!" He was shocked and awakened, and quickly rushed to the initiation venue to help.

On Holi, the grand "Color Festival" in India, people within their own community gather to participate in Holi. They visit each other's houses, carrying gulal (color powder) and water to drench each other. Gulal, made of various colors, is freely sprinkled on the wet hair and faces to celebrate the festival.

Out of respect and gratitude, the residents in the community of Liluah also invited our fellow initiates to play Holi with them. Liluah is located in Howrah District, West Bengal, where many of the poor and the homeless were relieved from suffering in the cold winter last year through Master's help. Therefore, walking along the streets, one would see many of the residents wearing a necklace with Master's photo. They wear it everyday because they believe it is a gift of blessing and protection from God. (Please see the thank-you letter from the Liluah Bharatiy High School.) Not knowing the fellow initiates' individual names, local residents, especially children, just joyfully exclaimed, "Holihai, Holi, Guruma Ching Hai." (Happy Holi Festival, Mother Guru Ching Hai.) Others who heard of Master's name also crowded around, sprinkling gulal on our fellow initiates as a gesture of friendship and welcome. During that moment, the exclamation of joy, accompanied by giggles and laughter of children and adults, echoed in all the corners of the streets.

That afternoon, after playing Holi, our fellow initiates were invited by young residents to join a friendly cricket game. All players were divided into two teams, "Liluah Boy" and "Supreme Master Ching Hai Team." The "Supreme Master Ching Hai Team" triumphantly defeated the "Liluah Boy" with a big margin of runs at the final quarter of the game.

At sunset, all residents went home to celebrate the festival with dancing and singing, while various kinds of delicious food were freely served. Our fellow initiates also took this precious opportunity to serve some friends and relatives with the rare delicacy of Master's teachings, a video tape which showed wonderful programs of disciples enjoying happy moments with Master during international retreats. Many of the audience were surprised to know that during our holy gatherings, fellow initiates not only enjoyed spiritual blessings through Master's lectures or silent meditation, but also totally relaxed themselves performing dances and singing on stage, swimming in a river, or having bonfires and barbecuing in the evenings, like children in natural surroundings. "It really makes spiritual practice more colorful, more interesting in this way," some members of the audience couldn't help exclaiming to us.

After watching Master's tape, fellow initiates and Convenient Method practitioners organized a group meditation, during which they enjoyed the cool evening breeze, the enchanting moonlight, as well as the inner heavenly light and sound.

Thank You, dear Master, for granting us such a wonderful Holi Festival. "Holihai, Holi, Guruma Ching Hai!"

Following Master's instructions, the working group at the Los Angeles Center went to help the homeless once again. Everyone in the group was extremely excited to have a chance to extend Master's love to those in need.

A group of cars left for the city of Hollywood in the middle of the night. Eyes wide opened, everyone looked for people living on the streets. The first one we found was sleeping on a bench by a bus stop on Beverly Boulevard. His sparkling eyes expressed joy as fellow initiates conveyed Master's loving concern to him. Hot soup, vegetarian hamburgers, a sleeping bag, a sample booklet and magazines were then offered to him. Overwhelmed by Master's love, he just couldn't stop saying "thank you" until we left.

Later, we decided to go to Chinatown. Upon entering this landmark area of Los Angeles, one of the cars was reported missing as it took the wrong exit to downtown. That missing car somehow ended up finding a lot of homeless people, and in no time, presented all the gifts of love to these needy people.

After the clean-up, fellow practitioners invited all the other participants to a vegetarian meal that they had prepared. This was the first time these people tasted vegetarian food and they loved it. They were very curious about the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association and asked many questions, to all of which fellow practitioners provided appropriate answers. Then, they asked for further information and whether they could have some of Master's books. To fellow practitioners, that was another unexpected fruitful result.

Recently, Master once again instructed fellow practitioners to set a good example for society. During the course of their response to the "Clean-Up Australia Day," fellow initiates in Sydney deeply appreciated the concept that spiritual practitioners should indeed set examples by their actions. In time, people around them would be influenced.

While fellow initiates were cleaning up, people on the beach where they were working came and helped them. Although these people were originally there to have fun, they just felt compelled to help. This was one of the great things about the clean-up, it affected people who normally do not think about the environment, and deeply implanted the concept of environmental protection in their minds.

Recently in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, an interesting festival took place. Among the groups who participated in this festival was a group of Poles from all over the country who had personally experienced the state of clinical death, which interested a lot of people. Representatives from the press, radio and television stations were also present. Thus, a documentary film of this gathering was produced.