Greeting Our Kind Mother With Diligent Meditation

Hearing that Master might come to spend some time with the disciples, fellow practitioners from all parts of the world flocked to the Hsihu Center before the three-day retreat. They brought with them an immense, joyful and expectant atmosphere.

As the three-day retreat began, according to the time schedule, fellow practitioners meditated and watched Master's video tapes in the bamboo grove and forest meditation hall. In response to everyone's sincerity and longing, Master especially rushed back to Formosa from Cambodia. When fellow practitioners learned that Master would arrive at Hsihu Center in the evening, they stayed in the forest meditation hall after the evening meditation had ended and waited for their kind Mother's return. An atmosphere of longing and welcome permeated the air, adding a deep warmth to the chilly night.

Sure enough, Master felt the love from everyone as soon as She arrived. Even before taking a little rest from Her tiring journey, Master began to look after everyone! Like a family reunion, Master and disciples sat around and chatted casually. It was truly a warm and touching scene.

Showing A Documentary Video of
The Disaster Relief In Cambodia

On the second afternoon of the retreat, Master showed a documentary video that was recorded during the disaster relief work in Cambodia. She even explained in detail, to the fellow practitioners, the Cambodian customs and traditions.

Having gone through dozens of years of war and unsettled conditions, Cambodia is really behind economically, agriculturally and in general construction. In addition to that, this flood disaster has made the lives of its people extremely lacking materially. Originally, Master only wanted to visit Cambodia quietly, to see how Her disciples were doing with the disaster relief activities. Unexpected, when the Prime Minister and the Princess learned about Master's arrival, they especially took time off from their busy work schedule to meet with Her, creating a historic moment.

During this short trip of just a few days, Master was invited by the Prime Minister, Prince Ranariddh and his wife, to accompany them to the disaster areas. Along the way She also toured the Palace, certain schools, hospitals and other establishments. In the film one could see the Prince wearing a pair of jeans and sunglasses, hardly exhibiting an air of royalty. Master especially complemented the Prime Minister and his wife on their being truly loyal and sincere in their constant attention to their country and the welfare of their people.

Master said, "In whatever we do we should be earnest and responsible. Like the Prince and Princess of Cambodia, they truly fulfil their responsibilities, help their people, and serve their country. This is also a kind of spiritual practice. Apart from seeking our wisdom inside, we should also fulfil our responsibilities outside. Because if we do well, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will be moved."

A part of the video was recorded when Master and Mr. and Mrs. Prime Minister went to another province for disaster relief work. This village looked very clean and beautiful. There were lovely trees and seemingly endless green fields of rice. When Master learned that the crops grew slowly due to a shortage of fertilizer, She immediately donated twenty thousand U.S. dollars for them to buy some. Master also bought clothes for hundreds of children in the village, and donated desks and chairs to the school.

The Queen's Holy Spirit Returns To The Homeland

As the scene changed to that of the Palace, Master gave us a guided tour and vivid description of it. The roofs of some buildings in the grand Palace were similar to those in Thailand. Inside the Palace were exquisite wall paintings recording the history of different dynasties since ancient times. The Buddha statues and other decorations were magnificent and brilliant. Inside an artificially made hill outside the Palace sat several statues of meditating monks. Master jokingly said, "It would be nice to remove these fake monks and let us sit inside."

Kept inside the Palace were tombs of several ancestors. One of them was an ancient Cambodian queen, who is still revered by people today. Fellow practitioners told Master that this queen who lived two thousand years ago was an earnest spiritual practitioner and had attained Buddhahood. She prophesied just before she died that she would return to her country two thousand years later. Fellow practitioners felt that Master is the reincarnation of this fully enlightened queen. Master said that this country felt so familiar. During Her stay there, it was as if She had returned to a place She knew well. She had a feeling of being home after a long time.

An Elaborate Fireworks Display In Celebration Of The Event

This was Master's return visit. In the evening She stayed with the fellow practitioners to barbecue by the Nectar River. Master also lovingly went around to see how everyone was doing. Taking turns according to their nations, and with loving kindness, Master received the fellow initiates from abroad, giving them words of comfort. The party reached its highpoint when fellow practitioners started the fireworks display. One could see the night sky filled with various fire trees and silver flowers, beautifully dazzling and decorating the sky.

Master said, "If all the dynamite used for fighting wars were used to make fireworks instead, not only would the world be beautified, but it would also be more peaceful." After the barbecue, as usual, Master told us, this group of children, a few bed time stories, giving us a most contended feeling as we retired to our tents.

The Supreme Master Ching Hai Day
Celebrated In Heaven And On Earth

The center was opened on the last day of the three-day retreat because it was the "Supreme Master Ching Hai Day". All at once fellow practitioners and guests flooded to Hsihu Center, overflowing it with an auspicious and joyful atmosphere. To celebrate the "Supreme Master Ching Hai Day", all the branch centers prepared programs to entertain Master and the guests.

The program began with the reading of the congratulatory fax messages, which were well wishes and love expressed by fellow practitioners from around the world. Among them was a sincere wish, sent as a friend, President Clinton and First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton of the U.S.A. As Master arrived, She was greeted by the thunderous sounds of gongs and drums and the dragon dance. The performances that followed by fellow practitioners included folk and modern dances, Chinese and English songs, flute and zither music, and so on. The lovely and nimble steps of the children initiates in their pop dances were particularly refreshing. The light and lively melodies, as well as the beautiful rhythms of the English songs composed and sung by fellow practitioners won repeated applause and praises from Master and the audience.

Although some of the programs, due to the lack of time to prepare, were not performed well; the slight flaws turned into comical acts that received repeated laughter from the audience. Our compassionate Master, as She has year after year, patiently accepted this "abuse" from Her disciples. Her timely humor and jokes, to rescue Her disciples from awkward situations, warmed and moved everyone.

Master gave a wonderful speech after the entertaining program. Master said that there was peace on Earth a long time ago. It is only because people's minds are not at peace that the world is not at peace. She also revealed that all of us came to this world with a special mission. Everyone takes a different part in the grand plan of the universe. When we finish acting in this great big theater of life, we will eventually return to the holy Kingdom of God. Therefore, we should not mind whether the role we act is noble or low. We only have problems because we are too concerned and attached. In order to return to our original nature, we must overcome and destroy our characters and our good and bad qualities, because they are merely props that go with the parts we play. Only after we have done that are we clean enough to return to the Origin...

Master's words instantly unlocked the shackles of ignorance and attachment that had been binding sentient beings life after life. Each word, like sweet rain falling on a field of souls, made us soar high spiritually, and fragrances were released from every flower in our hearts. Thank you, Master, for bestowing upon us this memorable and glorious "Supreme Master Ching Hai Day".

The three-day retreat is now over, yet the love in my heart is still growing strong....

This retreat carried a special meaning, because the third day was the 25th of October - the "Supreme Master Ching Hai Day". Bubbling with great delight and in high spirits, fellow practitioners celebrated this wonderful day that symbolizes "love and peace". I was no exception. My love for Master overcame my shy and inward character, and I volunteered to sing in the performance. Ever since my graduation from vocal school at the musical institute, I kept absolutely quiet in many singing performing events. Nevertheless, I naturally took the initiative to participate this time.

The program went on smoothly. When it was my turn, the MC introduced me as a vocalist, which made me feel so embarrassed that I wished I had a hole to hide in. I collected all my courage and stepped onto the stage. To my great surprise, I noted when I started to sing, that the accompanying music was very low. My voice was so loud on stage that I could not hear the accompanying music. I didn't know what to do and became very nervous. I lost the tempo, consequently the rhythm of my singing did not match that of the music. My performance was in a mess....

Then, I heard Master's kind and gentle voice speaking through the microphone, "You are too nervous." I was so touched! Immediately, I began to move closer to the source of the sound, the music tape, so I could hear the music. Off the stage, Master and the thousands of fellow practitioners were gracing me with encouraging smiles, and helping me by beating the rhythm. God! I never knew that "love" could be so touching!

Master often says, "Practicing the Quan Yin Method is returning to God the source of love, leading us back to the Kingdom of God." This is exactly true! On the path of spiritual practice, fellow practitioners have personally experienced the light and scenery of heaven, proving that Master is guiding us to walk on the right path. We are truly a big Quan Yin family in this eternal universe.

Though this setback my love has been nourished and has been growing nonstop day and night.... It is my greatest wish to see it blossom and yield fruit in the future so as to share with all friends in need. I am sure this is also the wish of Master and fellow practitioners. For the sake of this big Quan Yin family, let us sow the seeds of love over each inch of land, and watch them bloom into beautiful flowers, beautifying this world.