The Miracle Of Divine Love

The Palawan ashram is truly a miracle of Master's divine love. The asylum seekers/practitioners, with wisdom and talent developed through their spiritual practice and with the Au Lac peoples' innate, delicate sense of beauty, have turned the Ashram into a fairyland. So obviously different is the atmosphere here from other parts of the camp, that whenever you come close you simply wish to close your eyes and meditate, and enjoy the silent blessing of Master's sacred love.

All the facilities in the ashram were constructed and designed by the fellow initiates. Each corner is full of love and sincerity. They have turned a desolate land into a paradise for spiritual practice. Birds sing amid the fragrant flowers, even the Buddha's words are often heard - when playing Master's audio or video tapes.

The initiates meditate diligently everyday, and replenish themselves in Master's teaching classes. Furthermore, they are also learning English, and setting up vocational training classes. They are serious in acquiring a useful skill in preparation for the future.

The Palawan Ashram resembles an oasis in the desert. Touched by the peaceful atmosphere, more and more of the asylum seekers are beginning to love Master's teachings.

Hundreds of them come to the ashram for meals each day. Utilizing the limited financial resources, as well as their boundless love and skill, the initiates take turns working in the kitchen serving everybody. With Master's blessing, hot, fresh, nutritious and delicious food always reach the serving tables on time.

The Au Lac initiates really know how to live in a difficult situation. Being frugal with minor expenditures, they manage to save and offer what is left over to the public.

For instance, to save on electricity, they would now and then go outside the camp to collect fallen, dried wood for fuel. With the cart fully loaded with wood, they would cheerfully sing as they pulled and pushed together. It is indeed a touching and heart warming scene which even the most celebrated movies could not match.

We heard that the General once drove through the camp entrance and co-incidentally met the wood cart. He stopped the car especially to let it pass first. The General and the Deputy Administrator have visited the ashram and were offered a vegetarian meal by the initiates. When touring the ashram, the General marveled and highly praised the drainage system designed by the initiates. It truly impressed him.

When fellow initiates around the world, adhering to Master's instructions, are cleaning their local environment in cooperation with the regional authorities, the Palawan initiates also follow suit.

Many times they cleaned and beautified the camp area, including the church, the temple and residential areas. They even removed garbage from some inconspicuous corners. After their efforts, the place took on a new and refreshing appearance. This activity also inspired others in the camp to be more environmentally aware.

The Palawan initiates and the refugees are the treasures of the Palawan camp, the blessing to Palawan and saviours to the Philippines. If not for them, Master would not have visited the Philippines so many times.

During the years they have been living here, they have distributed Master's books, magazines and publications to people in Palawan with an affinity, ensuring that they constantly receive Master's latest information. Through their efforts, Master's name and teachings have been spread. People can hear the Gospel of liberation.

Unfortunately, worldly people do not recognize the Bodhisattvas manifesting in a suffering way, and sometimes treat them coldly with dismay. Oh God! Please forgive the ignorant people. They do not know what they are doing!

Impression Of The Refugee Camp

One day, when I delivered a document to the Deputy Administrator, I took the opportunity to tour around the refugee camp. Having been in Palawan for so long, I finally had the chance to meet the asylum seekers inside the camp. I was so excited!

Minor business establishments are allowed in the camp. Most of them are small grocery shops, similar to those run by the Filipinos outside. There are also tailor shops, a rice shop, beauty salons, and even a private boxing class. In a small iron factory, the apprentices are learning a skill. There is even a cinema, a cafeteria and a karaoke, in the simplest form of course!

The VSS Au Lac Secondary School is elegantly decorated similar to the ancient private schools. The pond was spotted with duckweed and had colorful goldfish swimming leisurely in it.

A teacher was giving a geography lesson. Noticing the new comers, he stopped and chatted with us outside the classroom. He expressed his support and gratitude when he knew that we were there to prepare the vocational training program.

Suddenly, his eyes turned red. He said that he had been there for five years, but his wife and children are still in Au Lac. Lately, he received a letter from his wife advising him not to return, to avoid being persecuted.

We gave him our words of comfort that God would take care of him. As encouragement, we told him it is a glorious job educating God's children, and that he should continue to contribute his love and effort.

The students crowded to the door listening curiously to our conversation. Everything was new and interesting in their eyes. Their childish laughter and twinkling eyes were exactly the same as the children out there in the free world!

This geography teacher was also the librarian in the camp. Master's books were displayed in the library for people to read.

When we approached the campus of the CADP Primary School, the kids were still studying. School finishes at 6:00 p.m. Upon seeing us, the children greeted us excitedly, without the least bit of uneasiness or shyness. The whole school was filled with their innocent and delightful laughter. The Au Lac children are so smart. At such a young age, they could speak so well, no ambiguity at all. Was it the difficult environment that made them mature early, or was it God who bestowed such exceptional talents on these unfortunates?

At the HTC, we ran into Ms. Lily, the teacher. She was holding a meeting with all the Filipino teaching staff. When she saw me, she came out immediately to greet us, and cordially introduced all the teachers present.

They have our utmost and deepest gratitude for their love and care of the asylum seekers all these years. (After the United Nations reduced the subsidies to the schools, the teaching staffs had to go on half pay. Nevertheless, they still continue their service in the camp.) What was even more regretful was the helplessness in our hearts, realizing that we could not work with them shoulder to shoulder serving the asylum seekers.

We observed that some men were getting water from the wells for bathing. The common practice here is that only the women and children bathe indoors, while the men would bathe at the wells wearing short pants. The water supply in the camp is rationed at scheduled times. Each household prepares their own buckets.

There was a vast barren piece of land at the north west corner of the camp where we saw the remains of broken down houses. It happened that the UNHCR had lately demolished part of this residential area, forcing the asylum seekers to relocate.

The living space was already very congested and it is even worse now. However, the intelligent, beautiful-hearted Au Lac people still managed to utilize efficiently the limited resources they had. With their skillful hands, they beautified their crude living quarters. There were coconut shell flower pots, dangling bamboo ornaments and large varieties of pot plants creating a green garden symphony.

Women chatting with neighbours. Youngsters playing guitars and singing out loud. Seniors caring for birds. The silhouettes of silent readers in the library. Young students who don't know what is grief. These Au Lac people appeared before my eyes one after the other. They all have expectations, ideal and the endeavor to work.

Why are they not given a chance? If they were, surely the world would be shocked by their excellent talents and diligent national character. Since they have been housed here for so long, why are they rejected and chased away now? There are thousands of unanswered questions. Perhaps the free world has been deaf for too long!

A Servant Of God

The evening bell was lightly struck. It was time to go to church. Men and women, one after the other, entered a Catholic church in the camp.

An American, Father Crawford, dressed in white leading his assistant who wore a blue traditional Au Lac gown, walked past the crowd and stepped onto the platform with dignity. The father preached in Au Lac language while the asylum seekers listened attentively. When everybody knelt down to repent, the scene of the meeting with the NGOs kept reappearing in my mind.

All the time, the father had been giving us an encouraging smile and supportive look. That was a strong contrast to the apathetic, aggressive and interrogative behaviour of some of the other people that we had met.

After the meeting, the father even comforted the crying members of the assessment team, and spoke in Chinese, I understand... . A sincere concern and precious friendship was sealed at the moment of setback and frustration.

I also recalled, during the last hunger strike, the asylum seekers were oppressed and assaulted by the guards. Not caring for his own safety, Father Crawford hurriedly broke open the lock on the church doors with an axe, providing refuge in the church for the people.

This is a sincere servant of God, who offers his whole life to God, in the taking care of His children. His only dependence is the faith and love in his heart of God.

I reflected: How fortunate it is to be born in a free and rich country, to follow an enlightened Master practicing the supreme method, every day enjoying the highest bliss of God, to be promised the Kingdom of God without doing anything, overwhelmed by the infinite grace.

Had it not been for Master's guidance, step by step teaching to care for and offer our love to the suffering in the world , I might still be intoxicated by the confining type of love, utterly ignorant of how to offer my actions, speech and thoughts to God. I could not withhold my tears when thinking of the hardships, misunderstandings and struggles that Master encounters in educating Her disciples.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The prayer was concluded! I also prayed sincerely to Master to bless all the servants of God. Wishing they will always have that inner love, have sufficient vitality to serve sentient beings, overcome all ordeals, persist in their pure and divine oath to God, and love Him forever as on the first day of knowing Him!

Oh Protectors Of Asylum Seekers -
God Will Remember You

The assessment team, for the first time, was allowed to visit fellow practitioners in the camp, due to the consent of a security officer. After this incident, the camp authorities used this as an excuse to transfer the Security Officer, Major Ragel to another post. This friendly officer had often rendered many conveniences to our ashram. He also frequently visited our ashram.

The security guards are supposed to be ensure the safety of the camp inmates. This security officer is indeed one who truly cares for the asylum seekers. The news of his transfer really made us very angry because of the injustice.

The new Security officer, Major Cornillo, on his first day of duty, saw the assessment team being refused entry to the camp. Afterwards, the team members patiently came to the entrance each day, pleading and meditated for the whole day.

Not long after that, Officer Cornillo submitted his resignation to the General. At that time, he asked the General, Why do you treat this spiritual group in this way? The Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her disciples are such good people. This righteous man who stood by the Truth, deserved our applause and recognition for his display of courage!

Another protector of the asylum seekers is Captain Azorin. People say that although he is Filipino, his heart is Au Lacese. The first encounter with Captain Azorin was at the home of the Secretary for the General.

On the evening of the Friday meeting with NGOs, I recalled, when we were at the General's office, having promised the Secretary of the General to teach her how to cook some vegetarian dishes. Sister Su and I went for the occasion. Captain Azorin arrived just as the food was ready. God repays anyone who loves the asylum seekers. We found there was a reason for coming such a long way - to prepare this beautiful meal.

This honorable friend standing before us, had been for all these years, responsible for the administration of the camp. Endlessly he had contributed his love and efforts, had really embraced the Au Lac asylum seekers, and lived together with them. He had fought for more supplies for the asylum seekers, and looked after their welfare.

If the camp authorities truly care for the asylum seekers, this kind of person should be promoted, giving him more opportunities and power to serve the asylum seekers. On the contrary, he was transferred to another post!

This unexpected meeting must be God's fabulous arrangement. We met two extremely different types of people within one day. Our wounds were still bleeding after the morning bombardment, and in the evening we had this wonderful encounter.

After a delightful talk with Captain Azorin that evening, the bad impression of the Philippines began to change. Fortunately, there are still people who are very compassionate. What a special nation it is, no wonder the Buddha has not forsaken this country full of calamities.

Captain Azorin's eyes were shimmering with tears, as he passionately told us about the happy times he had with our fellow practitioners at the Palawan ashram. An innocent child-like smile flashed on his face as he recollected the incident of inviting fellow practitioners to his home to cook vegetarian meals while his wife was away.

He was really proud of the fellow practitioners and the ashram. He said that previously when there were guests visiting PFAC, the first thing that he would do would be to bring them to the ashram. He was so familiar with the ashram, he could described everything in detail as if he was personally there.

He told us that occasionally when he drove past the camp area after his transfer, the asylum seekers would wave to greet him. He really couldn't bear to part with this group of friends that he loved so much.

Observing that the camp was cutting down on supplies, discontinuing all budgets, and increasing only in all kinds of restrictions, he could hardly express his inner sorrow. I can understand this. Like a father who once loved and cared for this group of children, it is unbearable seeing other people cutting down their food and treating them without compassion. That kind of feeling is really awful.

Captain Azorin did truly consider the well-being of the asylum seekers. However, the camp authorities and the Philippine Government were not willing to make an effort to improve the situation, which is not really that difficult to do. He told us that the asylum seekers were equipped with skills. What they need are some organizing and job opportunities. Then they can look after themselves, by putting into use what they have learned. Like other people, they can earn their living, thus happily contributing to society.

About the assessment team being hindered by many problems pertaining to the job training program, Captain Azorin smilingly consoled us saying that it could be a test from God and perhaps after meeting the General, God's power of love might miraculously change everything.

Blinking his moisten eyes, he told us each time he goes to our ashram, he has a feeling of being cleansed by God's loving power. He believes that the best and only solution is love. Finally, Captain Azorin said that definitely all suffering will come to an end. He believes God is watching all the time, and if His subjects are suffering too much, He will naturally open another window.

I thought about this respectable freind as he spoke. I was deeply moved, but it was indescribable. After the tears shed in Palawan, God had indeed sent a messenger to console us! Oh Lord! I have already surrendered before your almighty throne!

PALAWAN -- a wonderful island where saints and devils live together. Walking on the streets, one feels that a Bodhisattva might suddenly appear giving you some advise and useful information. Indeed, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas always appear in the most ignorant places, bringing compassion and light, so the world would not be so dark!

Witnessing The Repatriation

On the day the children were to be repatriated, I went to the Western Command office looking for a reply. The Deputy Administrator was not in. I heard he had been sick and away from work for three days. The documents that we had submitted had not received a reply.

Going out of the Western Command office, I met some Au Lac asylum seekers on their way to work. They curiously asked me why I come so often to the Western Command office. In the middle of our conversation, a soldier, whom I had previously met, asked me if I needed a ride. (We met at the General's office. After receiving the sample booklet, he kept chanting Master's name.)

It was really God's arrangement. I entered the camp today without even a glimpse from the guard at the entrance.

The whole camp was quiet and still. In the deep silence was the sorrow of parting. There were three buses parked under the shade of the trees. The children to be repatriated were lining up. Some of them already in the bus were being sent to another facility, as they were to be sent back to Au Lac next week. Men and women sat under the overhang outside the food supply office, staring at the buses, but no one uttered a word.

The ashram had another three-day retreat. A young fellow practitioner was packing with reddish eyes. He must have cried all night. I truly felt sorry for him. So cute and smart, a refine and polite child. He had nothing on his mind except his pure love for Master and a longing for spiritual practice.

At sixteen, he is alone, no parents. The ashram is his home, yet he is being forced to go back. Where is he to go? Having received the full initiation only the day before, this renewed soul had to face such an ordeal!

A fellow sister helped him to remove the embroidered badge of the Supreme Master Ching Hai on the Quan Yin cloth. I whispered softly to him that Master is within him. Nobody could take Her away!

Farewell was imminent! It was really heart breaking! Oh! Master! Despite all the efforts, so many sleepless nights, countless talks and negotiations and endless tears, the result is still repatriation. And, they are sending the children back first, a group of helpless children, without parents.

They have lived here for five years. From strangers they became brothers, going through thick and thin. Childhood friends are friends of a lifetime.

I have not been there for long, mixed with the children for just a few days, yet I could not bear the agony of the separation. Can you imagine the intensity of what they were experiencing, fellow practitioners having lived day and night together for so many years?

Flowers blooming on the flame trees, the red leaves falling on the yellow mud ground - a parting omen or perhaps the moment of separation had truly come!

A man in sunglasses came to take the children away. Before leaving, the boy came back again to say farewell. He looked at me and said softly, I go! I watched him leave, carrying a small sack on his back, vanishing around the corner outside the ashram.

Continuing with the three-day retreat, we could only pray to Master to bless and comfort the suffering souls. Oh child, do not forget Master's words of love. Wherever you go, Master will always take care of you!