Report From Tainan, Formosa

More Blessing In Giving Than In Receiving

Narrated by the Tainan Center Working Group
Recorded by the Tainan News Group

photo:
(1) The loneliness of this blind old lady is greatly relieved by Master's love and concern.
(2) Material sustenance is not all these old folks need. They crave more for the warmth and care from society.
(3) Fellow practitioners serving food to the elderly folks at Woody Lodge.

Only after we had visited the old folks homes, then we truly understood why Master told us to do this. We found that there are so many poor old folks suffering from their agonizing illnesses and desperation. Among the sick, there are many former greatly honored celebrities. Now, they are helpless in their wheelchairs, or permanently bedridden. How helpless and ephemeral human life is! It is very clear that no one can escape the ill destiny of karma, no matter how wealthy or destitute, noble or lowly. Consequently, we have become more determined to maintain our faith in spiritual practice.

Upon receiving Master's instructions and inspired by Her compassion, the Tainan branch center immediately set up a schedule to visit the old folks homes. The leading fellow sister said, "Observing their distress, how can we not go?" Therefore, in only two weeks, our "task force" has visited almost two thousand people in dozens of old folk homes. There have been plenty of touching stories in our trips.

The Quan Yin Bodhisattva Instructed The Taking Of A Vegetarian Diet In A Dream

When we distributed the News magazine to an old gentleman over seventy, he claimed that Master is the Quan Yin Bodhisattva as soon as he saw Her photo on the cover. It happened that Master had told him to be a vegetarian five years ago in a dream. He didn't believe or do as instructed, because he thought that it was only a dream. He was then a talented and learned wealthy man, enjoying luxuries and pleasures. Unexpectedly, today, five years later, he is lying in bed suffering from stroke. When the fellow initiates appeared with Master's News magazine, he was so excited and ashamed that he cried! A fellow sister wiped his tears and told him, "Master didn't forget you, we are here to comfort you today. We wish you would believe in Master sincerely, follow Her teachings, and practice. She will surely see you through this ordeal." He said that he would try his best to be a vegetarian, and recite Master's name. Observing his unreserved sincerity, we felt very happy for him.

Master Is Our Closest Kin

When a blind old lady heard that Master had sent the fellow initiates to visit and comfort them, she said mournfully, "Even my family do not come to see me. Why is your Master so compassionate? I am not related to Her at all, yet She asked you to visit me." Tears followed her words. Fellow initiates comforted her again and again, explaining that Master is her closest kin, the ever redeeming Quan Yin Bodhisattva. Touched by our love and concern, she brightened up, and repeatedly thanked Master for Her love and care.

Light Rekindled At The End Of Life

We visited several very old people who stayed together. As we walked pass their door later, we found that they were still reciting Master's name. Together and slowly, they were chanting "Ching Hai Wu Shang Shih...", word by word clearly and reverently! We realized that even as their life is about to end, Master has relit their lamps of light again.

When a fellow initiate was feeding a very old man, he pointed at the ceiling delightfully yelling, "Shih Fu (Master) Papa is there! Shih Fu Papa is there!" He saw the manifestation body of Master, so he burst into a smile of an innocent child.

Sincere Prayers Will Be Answered

An old gentleman was holding the News magazine that we gave him. Looking at Master's photo on the cover, he said in agitation, "I am suffering a lot! No one knows my feelings. I prayed sincerely to the Buddha yesterday, telling Him, 'I am suffering bitterly. Please save me...'" Unexpectedly, you are here visiting me the very next day." He said that Master is exactly like the Quan Yin Bodhisattva, saving the suffering people who pray, and so quickly. The books of Master that we gave him are more precious and valuable to him than a million dollars!

Tears Of Rescued Souls

Among the sick, there were several very critically ill. Some of them had lost consciousness; their bony body lying still, with no reaction in their eyes. We took the portrait of Master and approached them, saying, "We are the disciples of the Supreme Master Ching Hai. Master knows of your suffering, and has sent us here to console you!" There was no response initially, so we spoke into their ears, "Master Ching Hai is here to see you!" Miraculously, tears fell from their eyes! The omnipresent Master had come to see these people in such a pitiful condition. Their souls knew it. Because of Master's blessing, they shed tears in appreciation and gratitude.

A Visit To The Veterans Hospital

Bringing Master's love, we went to the Veterans Hospital to visit the old war veterans, who had contributed their life for their country. When we introduced Master to them, and distributed the blessed food to each old soldier, they were very happy, and we could hear Master's holy name reverberating in every sick ward. We felt it worthwhile, when we saw everyone absorbed in reading Master's News magazines and sample booklets.

An old soldier told our fellow initiates that he really did see Master coming. Master was wearing a white robe and a hat. She also had white shoes on, looking so graceful and fine! The fellow initiate told him that that was the manifestation body of our Master who is omnipresent. A very old soldier told us whole-heartedly, "If it was possible for me to relive my life again, I would willing to do this meaningful job that you are now doing, benefitting the souls of sentient beings..." For those old veterans who grieved about their senility and being too late to practice, our fellow initiates sincerely consoled them, "If you believe in Master in your heart, you definitely can be liberated in one life. You will definitely be able to follow an enlightened Master to practice for liberation, should you have to come back again next life..."

The Wholehearted Words
Of Fellow Initiates

Master is so thoughtful, creating learning opportunities for us to improve ourselves and realize the infinite love power of an enlightened Master. This visit to the sick further expanded our compassion. During the process of giving, we can better feel Master's blessing. No wonder Master once told us, "You have to walk the way of a Bodhisattva to become a Buddha." Observing these sick people in such a pitiful condition, and their longing for God's love and concern, we are reminded that only through spiritual practice under the guidance of an enlightened Master, can we be liberated from this ocean of suffering.

Report From Singapore

A Cordial Visit To Woody Lodge

By the News Group, Singapore branch center

Inspired and encouraged by Master's instruction to care for the elderly and the sick, we immediately prepared to visit Woody Lodge. It accommodates hundreds of male homeless people. As it was our first time in conducting such an activity, we were particularly thorough in our preparations.

The weather was comfortable on that afternoon. Fellow practitioners first gathered at the branch center. Having loaded the food, snacks, gifts and sample booklets, etc. into the vehicles, the team marched off in high spirits.

The superintendent of the center was delighted and welcomed us. After discussing our arrangements with him, he instructed his staffs to assist us. The fellow practitioners unloaded all the items and carried them to the cafeteria, while others were placing the food on the paper plates. In the mean time, the old folks slowly gathered and sat down in the cafeteria as invited. Happily and patiently, they watched us work.

The elderly people there were mostly fifty to seventy years of age. The majority were Chinese, others were Malays and Indians. With life-long suffering written on their faces, some even marked with traces of loss of memory, we really sympathize with them. We played Master's tapes, and put up Master's posters. Some of them curiously asked our fellow practitioners about Master. We then explained and talked to them in Chinese, English and other dialects.

Then, we served them snacks and drinks while they remained seated. They seemed quite fond of our vegetarian snacks. We were deeply touched to observe the compassionate way some of the old people cared for the other disabled residents, even by feeding them the snacks.

While they were enjoying the food, we distributed to each of them a gift pack containing some snacks and daily necessities. Master's sample booklets were also provided to them to take if they wished. While they were delighted to receive the gifts, they were equally interested in Master's sample booklet. Most of them got a copy and stared at Master's photograph. One thing worth noting was that, after they had left, after the meal, there was some food remaining on the table, but not one single sample booklet was left behind. It seemed their souls were still very alert.

Having bid farewell to the old folks, we went on to say good-bye to the superintendent. We both showed our appreciation toward each other. Just as we were leaving, we heard someone yelling thank you from behind a fenced area. In this area were some old folks that required special attention. Although they could not come out and join the others during the meal, they also received the food and gifts from our fellow practitioners. Therefore, they were extending their sincere gratitude to us.

Superficially, our trip was one of giving love. In fact, we received much more than we gave. Besides learning how to extend our love and concern in serving others, the old folks were also reminders to us to practice diligently while we are still young. Furthermore, we realized that Master's instructions are arranged lessons for Her disciples to learn, too precious to be missed.

Report From Munich, Germany

The Miracles Of Love

By Fellow Initiate Lee, Munich, Germany

After receiving instructions from Master to visit the sick in the hospitals, it so happened that an initiate was hospitalized, hence everyone took this opportunity to carry out this activity.

Arriving at the hospital, our first visit was to the initiate there. She was very weak and pale. When she saw the Quan Yin messenger and so many fellow initiates, she could not control the tears of joy rolling down her face. Everybody expressed concern and encouragement. She was wheeled to the lawn outdoors and we meditated together in the warm sunshine. Her face gradually turned to a better color.

There was another old lady sharing the same room. Since surgery her recovery was very slow. She constantly made strange hoarse groans, looking as though she would not live long. Even though our fellow initiates wanted to take care of her, unfortunately, they were unable to communicate with her in her disorientated state. Later, before the ill initiate took her meal, someone turned on the tape of Master's "Offering Before Meals". To everyone's surprise, when the song was on, the old lady suddenly stopped her strange groaning, and then went into a peaceful and sound sleep. After a while, when she woke up, she even asked repeatedly for sweets! So with the consent of the nurse, the initiates shared with her some of the candies blessed by Master on an initiation day.

The next day, everybody returned to the hospital again. Miraculously, the patients were totally different from previous day, with obvious improvements in their conditions. The hospitalized initiate had recovered her strength. She could walk normally and her face had become rosy. Everyone was astonished that the old lady in the next bed had become mentally clear and alert. All those strange noises yesterday had totally disappeared. After helping the initiate with her meal, we found that the old lady had gone back to sleep again. Together we meditated in the room. After the meditation, we chatted with the old lady who had no visitors there. We observed that this patient, who was delirious yesterday, was much more alert in her responses today.

On the way home, everyone was talking about the incredible, miraculous changes in the patients within one short day. To that old lady whom we encountered by chance, we expressed our utmost sympathy and blessing. Through this, fellow initiates experienced that following Master's instructions to visit patients in hospitals, not only sends brotherly love and care to mankind, but more importantly, in this way, spreads Master's blessings to another corner of the world, so that those suffering can share Master's love.

Report From Florida, USA

A Trip of Love

The Quan Yin messenger and fellow initiates went to pay a visit to an old folks home, Coral Trace Manor in Florida. With the help of the home's aides we visited every bedroom. The old folks there were not able to move about very well. They were either in wheelchairs or lying in beds. When they saw us, their faces lit up with smiles of surprise. They thanked Master for Her love and care, and that She had not forgotten them. During this trip of love, we and the workers in the home all felt Master's boundless love.