Report from Canada

[Montreal] To commemorate the sixth anniversary of The Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, which first took place in Chicago on February 22nd, 1994, the Montreal Center organized an open house and vegetarian buffet after its usual Sunday group meditation. The response was unexpectedly strong: many initiates, Convenient Method practitioners, friends, family members and special guests attended this festive event. Guests were introduced to Master's worldwide charitable work by viewing captioned photos, watching video tapes and reading free magazines and documentary writings from the media about Master's work. Delicious vegetarian dishes, and especially this time, numerous cakes were beautifully displayed. Guests from other organizations all commented that our group was very organized and disciplined, and that they could hardly believe that such an event could have been realized with only a few days' preparation. The open house was made possible through Master's invisible blessings and the devotion of local fellow initiates.

Many guests are introduced to Master through the event.	An abundance of vegetarian cakes and other delicious dishes are on display at the Montreal Center's celebration for The Supreme Master Ching Hai Day.

Report from Toronto

1999 Report Card

[Toronto] In the southwest corner of Toronto, an unassuming, semi-detached storefront duplex is the home of the Toronto Center of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. Brothers and sisters (and some children) regularly attend meditation sessions and retreats there. Group meditation is usually preceded by Master's English language videos, which are simultaneously translated into Aulacese through earphones. For special announcements, Chinese translation is often supplied as well.

To share Master's teachings, we held two open seminars during 1999 to enable the people of Toronto to experience Her honesty, humor, and inspired wisdom via videotape, one of which was held at the Scarborough Metro Square Center and the other at Toronto's Brentwood Library.

In the summer of 1999, the Toronto Center was also represented at a booth we prepared for the 15th annual Vegetarian Food Fair. This event, sponsored by the Toronto Vegetarian Association, is one of the largest of its kind in the northern hemisphere.

In 1999, the Toronto Center also made various financial contributions to local charitable organizations. To commemorate Supreme Master Ching Hai Day, contributions were made on February 22 and October 25 to the United Way, The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Alzheimer Society, the Multiple Sclerosis Society,The Easter Seal Society, Covenant House, and Interval House. In addition, the Toronto Center sent money for the relief of disasters around the world, including the Kosovo conflict, the earthquakes in Turkey and Formosa, and the floods in India and Au Lac. Finally, in 1999, Toronto fellow initiates contributed generously to the homeless during the holiday season. The Easter Seal Society, Covenant House, and Interval House. In addition, the Toronto Center sent money for the relief of disasters around the world, including the Kosovo conflict, the earthquakes in Turkey and Formosa, and the floods in India and Au Lac. Finally, in 1999, Toronto fellow initiates contributed generously to the homeless during the holiday season.

The vegetarian food at the Toronto Center is always a high point during our celebrations and retreats. In addition, we have frequent pot lucks where recipes are shared, the latest in textured vegetable protein foods are made available, and cooking demonstrations are held. We cherish our kitchen volunteers!

Food and fun figured prominently in the Center's annual picnic in July 1999. Everyone, including the guests we welcomed from the Ottawa, London and Windsor Centers, had a great time joining in the activities: volleyball, soccer, kids' games, a challenging walk through the forest, and swimming at a small, sandy beach near Toronto. Lively conversation and laughter prevailed everywhere. At the same time, the results of our meditative lifestyle were apparent in all of the activities. The qualities most obvious were care and cooperation, a lack of selfishness and ego, and a genuine love and will to communicate.

The Toronto Center is a most important part of our lives, even when we only visit it once a week for meditation and lunch. It is here that we receive total support and commitment from our group of sincere members searching for Truth. This sense of oneness becomes a potent source of inspiration for us all. The Center has become a microcosm, our own "small heaven," where our spiritual, intellectual and physical lives are brought together and shown in the most constructive light.

Two-day outdoor retreat at Blue Springs in Milton, Ontario, Canada Sharing Master's teachings at the Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair

Summer picnic in July 1999 at the Heart Lake Conservation Area