[News from Miaoli] The Supreme Master Ching Hai, who was honored by the United States as the "World Spiritual Leader", returned to Her Center in Hsihu, Miaoli and held a grand commendation ceremony on the morning of April 9th. Nine politicians and representatives of the people, including Legislator Lin Cheng Chieh and National Congress Representative Chen Chu, received commendations for their righteous and earnest efforts in striving to help the Vietnamese asylum seekers in the past years. The Supreme Master Ching Hai praised them, "They are just like the incarnations of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, bearing intense compassion towards people in suffering. In order to save sentient beings, they sacrifice themselves and fulfill their responsibilities despite their positions in the complicated political circle."

A grand and ceremonial commendation event was held in the presence of almost ten thousand people. The Supreme Master Ching Hai, dressed in traditional Vietnamese costume, said that She represented all the Vietnamese asylum seekers in expressing their gratitude to everyone. The meaning of this occasion is to honor the humane spirit of succoring the helpless in times of misfortune. Everyone can also learn the spirit of righteousness and love from these virtuous officials. Master also said, "In fact, there are many more compassionate people in Taiwan who have been helping the Vietnamese asylum seekers silently. However, as we have not had the honour of meeting them yet, we cannot commend them or present them with any award. Nonetheless, we wish to extend our respect and gratitude to them as well, through this grand occasion."

[Journalist Liu Guang Jie reporting from Hsihu] Yesterday (the 9th), the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations held a gathering at their Center in Hsihu Hsiang, Miaoli Hsien. Several thousand of their fellow practitioners and believers came from all over the Province. During the occasion, the Supreme Master Ching Hai also commended the persons who have meritoriously contributed in supporting human rights activities. Those who attended were touched and pointed out: It was a wonderful feeling to be able to enjoy a day of spiritual bliss, away from the mundane world!

To expedite the repatriation of the Vietnamese refugees last year, several countries, where the refugee camps are situated, had resorted to the use of force injuring the innocent refugees including women and children; this incident became the focus of international concern. As it was a state of emergency and human lives were at stake, on the grounds of humanitarian concern, the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations launched a series of activities to help the Vietnamese refugees. For instance, the one million people signature campaign to urge the free countries to accept the Vietnamese asylum seekers and the sit-in to protest forced repatriation, created waves of responses from all over the world. In Taiwan, the support of over one million people was immediately obtained. Timely international concern for the asylum seekers also poured into the refugee camp, soothing their anxiety and pain.

During these activities, many National Congress Representatives and Legislators, touched by the tremendous mercy of the Supreme Master Ching Hai, had eagerly spent great efforts, striving and negotiating, to present the petitions from a million citizens to the Central Government. Also, because of the help from several earnest officials in numerous mediating actions, the International Human Rights Conference held in Taipei last May was successfully accomplished. The international community now have a deep impression of the loving compassion of the people of Taiwan, and a warm image of the government.

During the ceremony, the Supreme Master Ching Hai said that because there are many compassionate and righteous people in Taiwan, Taiwan is considered more and more worthy in the eyes of the international community; and thus has been praised as a virtuous country.

Yesterday, at the commendation ceremony held at Hsihu Meditation Center in Miaoli, almost ten thousand fellow practitioners came from throughout the province and several countries. The tree-shaded center was packed by large crowds of people. The commendation ceremony started at about twelve noon, and the Supreme Master Ching Hai appeared to host the occasion amid the warm applause of the fellow practitioners.

The commended persons and the title of their awards are:

• Legislator Lin Cheng Chieh -- Defend the Cause of Justice Award

• National Congress Representative Chen Chu -- Helping People in Distress Award

• National Congress Representative Lin Hsi Hou -- Devotion to Serve the People Award

• Provincial Councilor Chang Fu Hsing -- Model Politician Award

• Li Zi Chun, Hualien Prosecuting Attorney -- Compassionately Helping Others Award

• Dung Jia Chu, Deputy Supervisor of the Bureau of Investigation, Ministry of Justice, Taipei Branch -- Enthusiastic Civil Servant Award

• Legislator Li Bit Hsien -- Able and Virtuous Representative of the People Award

• Legislator Lin Shou Hsan -- Extending Justice Award

• Chen Jun Hua, Hualien County Councilor -- Earnestness in Maintaining Justice Award

In addition, the National Congress Representative of Tong Xiao, Miaoli, Du Wen Qing, was commended the Spiritual Support Award. The ceremony ended at around half past one in the afternoon.

The fellow practitioners are using the garbage bags as raincoats. In this way they can continue the cleaning work smoothly in the heavy rain.

Participating In Australia's Extensive Cleaning Day

For the whole week, the weather over Sydney was affected by a storm coming from the sea; and everyday, all day long, it rained heavily. However, the public still warmly responded by earnestly taking part in 'Australia's Extensive Cleaning Day'. Apart from the public, the state Governor and many government officials, from various departments, of New South Wales also participated.

At early dawn, the fellow practitioners of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations in Sydney had already gathered to meditate at the group meditation center in Cabramatta, praying for world peace. After that, everyone went to downtown Sydney to join the work. The Sydney Urban Council designated the Ultimo downtown area, which was densely populated, to the Meditation Association.

There was torrential rain in the morning. Some fellow practitioners who did not bring along raincoats quickly ran for shelter under the overhangs in the passageways. Later, they came up with a bright idea. They ingeniously made three holes in the garbage bags, and wore them as raincoats, which was very convenient. Other Australians noticed and thought this was a fantastic innovation, which they imitated accordingly. Therefore,

the extensive cleaning work could be carried out smoothly in the heavy rain. Observing the young fellow practitioners of only eight or nine years old also taking part in the work, some children hurriedly asked for their parent's approval to join in and help.

On Australia's Extensive Cleaning Day last year, the Meditation Association also took part in the cleaning of the Pyrmont City area. This year, the Australians expressed an even greater enthusiasm towards the return of the Meditation Association. The activity conveners even especially prepared vegetarian food to serve the fellow practitioners at noon break and after the completion of the work. They further expressed their personal feelings to the representatives of the Meditation Association: "Although we have never met the Supreme Master Ching Hai before, based on your actions, we greatly admire Her and your group." A representative of the fellow practitioners replied: "This is the proper obligation of each citizen living in Australia. We are only doing what other Australian citizens have already done. Because everyone contributes, this land is so beautiful today."

On the way home, everyone was extremely happy at heart. They were delighted for having offered their share of effort for the welfare of the community.
(This is an excerpt of the original article.)

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The fellow practitioners are using the garbage bags as raincoats. In this way they can continue the cleaning work smoothly in the heavy rain.

[Journalist Chou Lien Chi reports from Miaoli] Yesterday, on City Circuit Road, Miaoli, there were three voluntary environmental protection groups involved a street cleaning activity. To educate the children while they are still young about the concept of environmental protection, some volunteers took their entire family to join the activity. They were indeed enthusiastic.

To maintain the cleanliness of the city three Miaoli voluntary groups, the Taiwan Fertilizer Factory, the Fukuangshan (Buddha Light Mountain) Branch Association and the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations, worked in cooperation and with designated duties. Yesterday morning at 7:30 they started the street sweeping activity on City Circuit Road.

The Taiwan Fertilizer Factory in Miaoli was responsible for the section between Tou Wu Bridge and Yu Chin Street. The International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations was responsible for the section from the junction of Yu Chin Street to Xin Dong Street. The Fukuangshan Branch Association was responsible for the section from the junction of Xin Dong Street to Turtle Hill Main Bridge. More than a hundred people participated.

Many people got their entire family to participate, letting the children experience personally the environmental protection work. Among the members of the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations, there was a native inhabitant of Tai On Hsiang, Lin Ya Yong, who had been ill for a long time and living in poverty. He regained a new life with the assistance of the Meditation Association. Yesterday, he especially brought along his children to join the street sweeping activity, using this opportunity to repay and extend his gratitude to the Meditation Association.

During the process of sweeping the streets yesterday, some volunteers mentioned that on City Circuit Road there were several uncared for pavilions that were in a messy and dirty state. They appealed to the citizens to be more public-minded and to refrain from repeatedly polluting public places. Thus providing a clean environment for the citizens of Miaoli.

[Journalist Chang Yi Zhong reporting from Taichung] The fifth Vegetarian House established by the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations is scheduled to be opened the morning of March 29th, Youths' Day. This vegetarian house combines exquisite food, art and spiritual cultivation in a unique way. People from all fields in the central region are welcome to join the opening ceremony and to taste the gourmet food.

According to the Meditation Association, besides providing pure and healthy vegetarian food, they have also created an artistic, elegant and comfortable environment for enjoying meals.

The standard of living of modern people is very high. They care about delicious food and drinks, as well as wanting to be healthy. They also want to savor spirituality. Therefore, the Supreme Master Ching Hai, with Her spirit of caring for the mundane world and according to the social trends, has encouraged Her disciples in the course of their cultivation, to share the benefits derived from their practice with the people of the world, and to serve them with love.

Under the guidance of the Supreme Master Ching Hai, on unfixed dates, Her followers have been conducting a series of activities entitled 'There is Love among Humans, and Compassion on Earth'. They care for the weak and disadvantaged in society. They give aid in disasters, and help the refugees, the homeless, the prisoners, the old veterans, the sick and the disabled, extending their indiscriminating love to the most needy people.

According to the Meditation Association, the Vegetarian Houses were opened one after another based on the above ideal and in the hope of integrating spiritual life with daily life to reach the level of Truth, virtue and beauty.