Taichung Evening News, Formosa Jan. 8, 1995

[By Reporter Mei-Hui Wang /Kaohsiung] At 11 a.m. on New Year's Day, 1995, the Supreme Master Ching Hai, the recipient of "The World Peace Award", held a "Cambodia Relief Commendation Ceremony", at Hsihu Meditation Center, Maoli, Formosa, to present awards to groups and individuals who made outstanding contributions in the disaster relief activities, and to thank the governments and kind people of various nations for their enthusiastic support and response to the recent relief efforts. Among the guests present were representatives from twenty nations, and a consulate and government officials from many nations. The Department of Agriculture, Executive Yuan; the Formosa Provincial Food Bureau; the Central Trust of China; Hsin Chien Marine Co., Ltd. of Formosa; the government of Japan; the Thailand Trade and Economic Office, etc. all sent representatives to accept awards.

The recent disasters in Cambodia, caused by floods and droughts, left millions of people without any food. When the Supreme Master Ching Hai learned about the news, She immediately instructed Her disciples all over the world to do their best to help; She launched a relief activity, "One Kilogram Of Rice To Save a Nation". The Supreme Master Ching Hai's disciples in Formosa led the way by donating three thousand tons of rice. With the full support from the Department of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, the Formosa Provincial Food Bureau, the Central Trust of China and Hsin Chien Marine Co., Ltd., the rice was promptly purchased, loaded, and shipped to Cambodia scheduled to arrive on 10 January, 1995. The Supreme Master Ching Hai said that the actions of these organizations fully displayed lofty traditions of the Chinese - a concern for justice and a willingness to help those in need.

In response to the activity, the Government of Japan had already donated twenty thousand tons of rice to Cambodia, and promised to give them more rice donations in the future. Besides helping Cambodia, Japan is also Au Lac's top aid donor country. Japan has also sent representatives and provided medicine, food, transportation and other aid to Tanzania, Rwanda and other nations stricken with disasters. A representative was sent by the Government of Japan to receive an award at this ceremony. Others who received awards included a consulate, hotel personnel who display great enthusiasm in serving others, and honest and responsible individuals from the news media. The Supreme Master said, "Anyone who wholeheartedly exerts his best effort in doing his part, regardless of the position of his job, is worthy of people's respect."

Being grateful to the Formosan authorities for their ardent support, and to the people in many fields worldwide for their enthusiastic responses to the relief activity, the Supreme Master Ching Hai especially took time from Her very busy schedule to return to Formosa to host this relief commendation event. From December 31st to January 2nd 1995, disciples of the Supreme Master from all over the world gathered at Hsihu Meditation Center for an "International Three-Day Retreat". Almost four thousand disciples from twenty countries attended. For three days they meditated with their revered Master, and prayed for world peace.

During the event the Supreme Master Ching Hai said, "Helping others is actually helping ourselves. I am contented with my life and do not want more blessings. However, to the people of many countries, it would be useful having more blessings. For example, Formosa is often affected by typhoons and earthquakes. When we help others, we can bring our country blessings. I join the people of Formosa in being grateful, and I am happy for Formosa to have had this opportunity to bring blessings to their country, so that the country will make more progress, become more beautiful and prosperous, continue to develop even further, and possess even more blessings!"

The Group And Individual Awards Are As Follow:

The Group Awards

To the Central Trust of the Republic of China, Formosa Provincial Food Bureau, the Department of Agriculture of Formosa and Hsin Chien Marine Co., Ltd., the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations are very grateful for their responses to the Supreme Master Ching Hai's appeal. With great efficiency they quickly carried out their superiors' compassionate instructions and enthusiastically provided their co-operation, so that three thousand tons of rice for disaster relief could be released and delivered smoothly. They made exceptions and granted timely approval in the purchasing of the rice, which fully demonstrated the Chinese national characteristic of helping those in need.

Mr. Li Tseng Chung, who represented the Department of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, accepted the award. He said in his acceptance speech that he held great admiration for Master's compassionate deeds in saving the world. He went to the occasion filled with gratitude, willing to be educated, so that he might learn from Master about how to be compassionate. He often watched Master's videos, and twice attended Master's lectures at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. He totally agrees with and admires Master's teachings.

Mr. Chen Wen Dieng, the manager of Hsin Chien Marine Co., Ltd. accepted the award on behalf of his company. He said that it was due to the full support of the Department of Agriculture and the Formosa Provincial Food Bureau that enabled the three thousand tons of rice for the disaster relief to be quickly loaded onto a vessel on December 31st, 1994. It was scheduled to depart on January 2nd and arrive in Cambodia on 10 January, 1995. He said that all his colleagues were very sincere and did their best in executing various procedures in this matter.

The Central Trust of the Republic of China worked with great efficiency, which allowed the various procedures for delivery of the rice to be completed in a very short time. Their representative accepting the award, Mr. Chung Chen, said, "On December 12th, a disciple of the Supreme Master Ching Hai applied to our export department regarding the relief activity, and advised us that it was an utterly urgent matter. When I heard that, I immediately told my colleague that we should act quickly and give our full cooperation. Saving people is like fighting a fire; there should not be any delay caused by bureaucratic procedures. Previously, our rice was shipped abroad to earn money. This time, it was for the relief of a disaster, and I found it truly meaningful."

Mr. Lin Win Shown, the representative of the Food Bureau accepting the award, said that during this relief activity they did not work with official documents. Once they received the phone call for the purchase of the rice for the relief, they immediately started to pack the rice, choosing only the finest and flawless grains. He said, "It is our great honor to handle this matter for the Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her disciples, because we hope that there is food not only for our fellow compatriots in Formosa, but also for the people of other countries of the world."

During the 1994 New Year's holiday, the Taipei Branch of the Thailand Trade and Economy Office responded to the urgent visa applications of hundreds of fellow practitioners from all over Formosa, enabling them to quickly obtain visas to visit Thailand, to be together with the Supreme Master Ching Hai. Their fast, most efficient and ardent spirit to serve, as well as their consideration towards others was most touching. The Supreme Master Ching Hai said, "I hope that the world will have more consulates, like that, who truly provide convenient service for people. Actually, there were originally no boundaries in this world. I wish that one day people of all nations can freely travel to their neighboring countries without visas, and that the world becomes one family."

Ms. Mizuhara, the representative from Japan accepting the award, said that during recent years, due to Master's visits to Japan and Her guidance to many of its people to practice meditation, many corrupted officials have disappeared, and righteousness and honesty are found more and more each day in the political scene. What was more wondrous was that prior to one of Master's visits to Tokyo, there was a sudden power failure, and everything came to a halt. After Master's arrival, the power was promptly restored, and all operations ran smoothly again. Also, during Master's stay in Japan, the traffic accident rate was almost zero. The activities held by Master's disciples in various parts of Japan to clean the environment had changed the atmosphere in those places; tension gradually subsided, and was replaced by peace and serenity. From these incidents one can see that Master had given, invisibly, great help to Japan. The Government of Japan felt that it was a great honor to have the opportunity to support Master's recent disaster relief activities.

Awards to individuals were presented to: Mr. Nimitr Ajchariyakitisakool, Secretary of the Thai Foreign Minister - The best Diplomat; Mr. Chen Wen De from the Department of Agriculture, Executive Yuan - The World's Best Civil Servant; Mr. Lai Zong Biou from the Central Trust of China - Excellent Leadership; Mr. Hwang Ching Ho from the Food Bureau - The Most Efficient Department Head; and Mr. Chen Wen Dieng from the Hsin Chien Marine Co., Ltd. - The Best Manager Of Shipping Companies.

Mr. Nimitr, the Secretary of the Thai Foreign Minister, the recipient of the Best Diplomat Award, expressed his deep regret for not being able to accept the award in person. He especially made an overseas phone call to extend his profound gratitude to the Supreme Master Ching Hai, and to welcome Her to visit Thailand again.

The Awards For The Journalists Of The Year

During the presentation of the awards to the outstanding journalists, the Supreme Master Ching Hai said that being a journalist is a special job, which requires not only talent in writing but also courage. As if being the eyes and ears of the public, journalists need to be good in listening and observing, as well as in writing. To report faithfully is a journalists' duty and pledge. If they make factual news reports that benefit the world, they gain blessings, and if their reports were untrue, then they might incur negative karma. After listening to Master, the journalists felt that their responsibilities were even greater.

The recipients of The Journalists Of The Year Award were Ms. Li Yue Ning, the program producer and host of the Broadcasting Corporation of China, Formosa. Ms. Chen Bi-Hua, reporter of the United News, Formosa; Mr. Hong Chao Feng, the host of the “Sun, Moon and Star" program, Radio Hong Kong; Mr. Al Santoli, a journalist from Washington D.C., U.S.A.; Mr. Fang Hua of R.F.P.I, France; Mr. Suprihadi, a foreign reporter and editor of the Indonesian Harian Surya News; Mr. Son Chung-Mu, director of the Inside the World Magazine, Korea; and Ms. Wu Wei, reporter of the World Daily News, Thailand.
Ms. Hwang from Formosa and Mr. Andrew from Singapore were also presented with "The Poets Of The Year" Award

Both "poets of the year" received special honors for their beautiful compositions and unique poem styles, which describe the wonderful bonds between spiritual practice and creation in nature, in heaven and on earth. During the event, a poem that had just be written was recited to express the deep, sacred love between Master and disciples. The Supreme Master Ching Hai presented them lamps and prints of Her paintings that She had designed and created. She also cordially explained the profound meanings of Her artistic work - an innocent and pure love for heaven and earth, and an undeviating faith and pursuit for the Truth.

To celebrate the New Year there were entertaining programs during the commendation ceremony. They brought about a joyful atmosphere. Among them the graceful dance performed by the Au Lac (Vietnamese) sister initiates, who wore traditional Au Lac costumes and held fans in their hands, won loud applause from the audience. They represented the traditional elegance of the Au Lac women. The Supreme Master Ching Hai highly praised their beautiful and graceful bearing.

The young initiates' lively dances filled the occasion with an endless joyful atmosphere for the new year. Other disciples of the Supreme Master Ching Hai recited poems, performed music, and sang songs that they had composed, to express their love and gratitude to Master. In their melodious songs, they also conveyed that due to the love in this world, there is hope for a better future. The wonderful performances entertained thousands of guests, and also revealed the many talents of the spiritual practitioners.

The government officials were invited by the Supreme Master Ching Hai to tour Hsihu Center. They were most impressed by the river and the gardens, which the Supreme Master designed and had built in three days, under Her supervision. In a relaxed and warm atmosphere, the New Year's Day event came to an end. In the light of the setting sun, the guests started their journey home, taking with them an abundant spiritual harvest and the Supreme Master's blessings. The new year will be most assuredly one, filled with hope.