Master arrived at Hong Kong on March 25, at about 8:00 p.m. Getting the notice, fellow practitioners quickly assembled a receiving team and awaited Master's arrival cheerfully. Master was so bright and spirited when alighting from the plane. Her relaxation and joy hid all about Her tedious journey just gone through.

It happened that, several days ago, Master had made a special trip to the Philippines pleading for the future of the Au Lac refugees. She proposed a project to the Philippine President, indicated that She is willing to offer Her love and all Her wealth unconditionally to save the refugees from compulsory repatriation. In one short morning, five thousand color photographs and video tape were developed. Attached by illustrations and coverage in Chinese and English, they were sent by express to all branch centers, and the relevant persons. We can see from this the marvelous speed and hard working attitude of Master.

It was the Easter vacation soon after Master came to Hong Kong. Despite Her exhaustion, Master graced fellow disciples by holding a three-day retreat at the ashram. As the existing space for meditation was not enough, the main program of this three-day retreat was to extend the meditation hall with the combined efforts of fellow initiates, apart from the meditation. That was a complicated job limited by time and labour. Fortunately, Master was there personally in command, a clear plan was decided quickly, and the area of the hall was extended by three times in just a few days.

One thing particularly worth mentioning is, bestowed with Master's gentle love, our objective of the retreat in these three days was not affected, while a spacious site for meditation was added. Through these wordless teachings, Master let us experience the truth that spiritual practice is not detached from life.

Holding The Refugee Week - Praying For The Refugees

On April 7, a drastic event took place in Hong Kong. The government organized more than a thousand special riot police and Correctional Department officers, supported by armoured cars, tear gas shells, full antiriot gears, marched into the Whitehead boat people camp in Shatin, violently suppressed the totally unarmed refugees, including elderly people, women and children. Without prior notice or mutual agreement, they forcibly relocated more than a thousand refugees from the camp, More than five hundred tear gas shells were discharged that day, resulting a tragic casualty figure of several hundred people. (The police is still hiding and keep amending the exact figure.)

In Her agony, Master wrote and signed a letter addressed to all fellow disciples, sent to all branch centers, calling up a worldwide seven-day retreat for the miserable refugees and other unfortunate people. She wished that the will power and compassion of everybody

would resolve and improve the undesirable atmosphere and situation. Upon receiving this message, fellow disciples acted like a tornado. Branch centers around the world immediately scheduled their retreat timetable. Individual members arranged their time and earnestly participated and supported this meaningful activity. Much good response and ideas were achieved. (Remark: For the detail about the forcible relocation of the refugee camp by the Hong Kong police, and the worldwide Refugee Week Retreat, please refer to this issue of our magazine the "Special Report On Aiding the Au Lac Refugees".)

"Clear The Pocket To Save The Refugees" - The Press Conference

Master's petition to the Hong Kong Governor, the Security Secretary and the UNHCR was futile, and Her unconditional offer of money, labour and loving suggestion were ignored. Therefore, responding to invitation for interviews by the local news media, She hold a press conference on April 13 replying questions from the public.

The press conference was held at the Viceroy Restaurant at Wan Chai in Hong Kong. About thirty local and foreign reporters and TV news teams attended. It lasted forty-five minutes. The reporters asked many questions. However, some of them couldn't really understand Master's reply and Her intention, owing to the collective karma of Hong Kong and the ego of the news media.

Even then, there were much coverage and response from the news media after the conference. Afterwards, many concerned parties wished to know more. Both the Legislative Council and the Governor of Hong Kong consider holding an open hearing to the incident.

After the conference, Master had dinner with more than a hundred fellow initiates and guests. After that, Master returned to the ashram and continued speaking to us. Master pointed out the seriousness of the refugee issue. She was very sorry about the unjustified violence of the government, and the still to be realized donation project.

Election Of Additional Liaison Members

On the next day (one day before Master's departure), Master examined all the news reports, and instructed for the rectification of some mistakes. The editing of the video tape covering the press conference the day before is also finished.

That was the sixth evening of the international retreat. Master was worried about the deterioration of the situation. She feared that the Hong Kong citizens and the local fellow initiates would be affected by the collective karma, and wished that fellow initiates would make up by diligent practice. She also supervised on the spot the reelection of the liaison member in Hong Kong. To improve efficiency, and accommodate more new initiates to participate, five groups of responsible liaison members have been elected under Master's supervision.

In Alhambra, California, USA, the afternoons in the last days of winter appeared to be a little warmer than normal. Representatives from both public and private organizations who were sincere in wanting to meet with Supreme Master, were waiting Her arrival to an informal meeting. There were many reporters representing various local media such as Mr. Nguyen Phuong Minh, Editor in Chief of the Crane Newspaper; Mr. Vo Boi Quang Khoi, Managing Director of the Ngay Mai (Tomorrow) Newspaper; Mr. & Mrs. Tran Luu, Managing Directors of the Au Lac Times; Mr. Tran Dong Phuong, Chief Secretary of the Van Hoi Moi (New Horizons) Newspaper, USA; Mr. Tran Xuan Son of the Economic Times, USA; Poet Vien Linh, Chairman of the Overseas Au Lacese Writers Association; Mr. La Thoai Tan, the famous comedian from Au Lac; Mr. Ho Quang Phuoc, Managing Director of the Saigon Nho (Little Saigon) Newspaper; Mr. Tran Van Luu, Predecessor Director of the City Communications Newspaper; Mrs. Nguyen Mai, Chairperson of the People's Traditional Literary Association; Mr. Pham Minh, Journalist of the Tinh Thuong (Love) Newspaper also the advisor and member of the Control Yuan of the Au Lacese Community in Southern California; Journalist& Poet Mr. Phung Minh Tien; Mr. Ly Kien Truc, Journalist of the Nguoi Au Lac (Au Lacese) Newspaper; Mr. Tran Vu, Journalist of the Ngay Nay (Today) Newspaper; Lawyer Tran Son Ha; Mr. Nguyen Tran Kiem; Mr. Le Quang Cuong; Mr. Dang Tan Huan; Mr. Dong Thien Minh and Ms. Le Cuc of the Au Lac Times, the International Daily News; China Times, were also present. Local government officials like Mr. Jim Miller, Director of the Orange County Health Agency, and Mrs. Randi Sperling, representative of the American Cancer Society, amongst others, did not miss this wonderful event.

The reception began at 6 p.m. Some sister initiates, dressed in their traditional Au Lac clothes, stood smiling on the hall leading to the main entrance awaiting the arrival of their guests. As Master, dressed in a blue-purple, embroidered suit that She designed, arrived and walked gracefully and cheerfully toward the restaurant entrance, the welcoming applause from the aspiring crowd exploded in a seemingly uncontrollable manner. The applause got even wilder with joy, greeting Master with a standing ovation as She surprisingly stopped by each table of the distinguished guests and extended a warm and loving welcoming greeting to each one of them and quickly made them feel at ease in Her presence. This touching and inspiring action, in effect, created a more friendly and family-like atmosphere in which even a stranger was prone to feel affection.

The meeting began after the opening speech and a few words from the guest speakers. Mrs. Randi Sperling, a representative of the American Cancer Society reserved the honor to present Master with a special gift as an expression of gratitude to Master for Her contribution to the American Cancer Society.

Next, came the speech of Mr. Jim Miller, Director of the Orange County Health Care Agency. He sincerely expressed his respect and admiration to Master as well as the immense gratitude of the homeless people for Her concern and help recently in the Orange County.

In return, Master addressed the entire room from Her table. She made an acceptance speech with such worldly acuity, and so filled with ice-breaking humor, that evidently, its charisma quickly electrified the atmosphere and caused endless laughter throughout the whole room. Then, in honoring the Lunar New Year tradition, Master passed out little red packets as a New Year's gift to every guest. This was a very touching moment which eventually brought joy and happiness to each of the lucky recipients. Some guests were greatly inspired by Master's openness and compassion as well as Her artistic talents. They were engulfed in an atmosphere of love and friendship of the big Quan Yin family. Some of them dedicated their poems to Master through their beautiful recitations. Some hastily came up to share their humorous stories which made the whole room erupt in laughter. Mr. La Thai Tan, one of the most famous Au Lac comedians, even asked to be initiated later. The most precious and lovely moment of the entire night was when Master sang several songs, that She had composed, to fulfill the sincere longing of Her children. While Master sang Her song, "I Will Forever Love You", the entire restaurant was electrified with emotion. Some disciples held their breath, cherishing Her love, while others cried uncontrollable tears of happiness.

The night was quite a success and a memorable one. Through this informal press conference, the media, including Au Lac, Chinese, and American, got a chance to know more about Master and Her work as a spiritual leader and as a staunch advocate for the freedom of the Au Lac refugees still in containment in countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Being Her natural vivacious and charismatic self, Master deftly fielded all of the questions, patiently and cheerfully explaining Her work and commitment to the Au Lac refugees. Instead of being skeptical and preconceived, the reporters left that night with a more open-minded and receptive attitude toward Her teachings and Her charitable work.

The meeting finally ended around midnight with all the joy and excitement still lingering in everyone's mind. Upon sincere request, Master stood with all of the guests for a souvenir picture. The restaurant owner couple were among those in the picture who later said that they had never before seen such a happy group of people. What a rare meeting that was full of truth, friendship, and love.