It is always the sweetest dream of the overseas disciples to have a chance to live with Master. Mother Master kindly answered their longing, and allowed them to stay after the Dragon Boat Festival Three-day Retreat, gracing them with the bliss of being close to Her!

Amid the immense magnetic field of Master's love, fellow practitioners together savor the divine meals, nectar, and occasional dreamlike ethereal feasts. As they work with the resident disciples, they get a better understanding of ashram life, and gain many insights into spiritual cultivation.

Oh! I shall never forget this vacation in Hsihu!

This summer vacation, I had the good fortune to stay for the first time at Hsihu Center, and was deeply moved in many ways during my visit.

The resident disciples at Hsihu work efficiently with full concentration. Whether it is hard labor or delicate work, men and women go all out in their tasks together, such as carrying cement, driving big trucks, and preparing for group meditations on Sundays; they are busy almost from dawn till dusk. Every night when I returned to my tent to sleep, many of them were still preparing food in the kitchen for all the residents and guests. I used to assume that resident disciples have plenty of time and a tranquil environment in which to meditate and study scriptures. But in fact, at Hsihu Center, I found that they seemed busier than people living in society; only their tireless work is for other people and the world. More importantly, they have incorporated "Zen" into their lives and work, truly practicing "living Zen" and "working Zen." They have developed their powers of concentration through work and made breakthroughs in their spiritual level through daily living.

Recently, foreign disciples have been either leaving or arriving at Hsihu Center every day. Master, who has been extremely busy, manages to take time to meet with them each day, answering their questions or giving discourses. As well, She offers special entertainment to foreign disciples in various forms, such as tea parties, or barbeque parties. Being natural and easy-going, Her love is revealed completely, making us feel fully at home. Through all of Her considerate, meticulous, and caring arrangements, we can feel Master's perfect, seamless love.

What I have learned most during my stay is that I experience the supreme power of the magnetic field at Hsihu. It is particularly intense during group meditation. Unfortunately, my powers of concentration have been too weak to match such a strong vibration. So, I couldn't meditate to full effect, while the negative energy in my body and cells was being affected and became manifest. Eventually, I understood why Master says that after initiation, we are not yet able to immediately go to very high levels. It is not that Master is not powerful enough; but instead, our vibrational energy is by no means capable of matching the frequencies of the higher realms. Therefore, only if we follow Master's instructions, and practice diligently every day will we uplift the vibrational frequencies of our spiritual bodies, and thus return to the Ultimate Source some day as we wish.

After the three-day retreat during the Dragon Boat Festival, it was very fortunate that we could stay briefly at Hsihu Center. Meditating, working, relishing the Buddha's meals, and imbibing nectar every day, life was really wonderful. Master came down to give discourses each day or every other day. In addition to that, as people were eating, drinking, or resting, She would often show up unexpectedly, like Buddha descending. A bit of small talk, or a graceful smile captivated the disciples.

One Saturday night, Master specially invited disciples from other countries to the place in front of Treasure Pavilion on the hill. All the way up the quiet, beautiful mountain path, we heard birds singing and insects chirping. As we chatted and laughed, the path made a turn and suddenly, a broad, level, hill-top garden came into view. We could not believe our eyes. The grounds were covered with pretty pebbles and soft green grass, as well as intermittent tropical and subtropical trees. In the middle of the hill was a spacious, moonlit terrace with several large, multi-colored umbrellas covering tables laden with gourmet food. Resident disciples served food and tea to us all. Sitting under the shade of some nearby trees, holding a glass of non-alcoholic champagne and a few pieces of delicious cake, I felt as though I were in a dream. Where else could we find a paradise beyond this world?

I looked up into the sky. The floating clouds were thin and stars twinkled; trees were strung with colored lights, and many bodhisattvas sat beneath them. At this moment, the sound of heavenly music arose and the lights started to move and flash. All at once, my heart was filled with a rush of sentiments. Finally, this lonely wanderer had returned to his own home. I remembered that when I was little, I often sat alone by a window, looking into the boundless sky as if I was somehow touched by something, but also felt I was at a loss. It seemed that I was somehow connected to my source; yet I could by no means find the way back. Since my childhood, people had said that I was easy-going and polite, a nice child; but at heart, I was always detached like a recluse. Sometimes, even the kinfolks around me seemed like distant strangers. Nowhere in such a vast world could I ever find a corner of the sky that belonged to me.

Today, thanks to Master, I was brought back home. The planet earth remains cool and somewhat mysterious, but I no longer experience loneliness and sadness. Everything lives in oneness and in harmony. Everything has its own special quality, yet is all closely connected.

I will never forget the day when we gathered beneath the bodhi trees. What a refreshing night it was!

• Written during an outdoor tea party in front of the Treasure Pavilion at Hsihu, June 18, 1995.

It's difficult to say but I want you to know that "I love you." (Laughter and applause.) It's really difficult. I learned it from you. I can never say these words. (Master and all laugh). This reminds me of a story someone had printed in the newspaper.

There was a brother who was very sick and dying of some incurable disease. So his big brother always came to see him everyday in the hospital. One day before that kid was very soon going to die, the big brother managed with all his courage and said: "You know, little brother, it's very difficult to say these words, but... you know I love you!" Phoo! And after he said the words 'love', phoo! He sighed, you know, (Master laughs) relieved.

So the small brother, smiling very gently, said, "Well, if it's very difficult then you say some other words, maybe like 'red buffalo' or something, and then I will understand what you mean." Oh! 'Green Pig' are the words he used. 'Green Pig.' (Master laughs.) 'Green' and 'Pig.' (Laughter)

So, after that day the big brother always said to him 'Green Pig,'and the small brother always giggled. After some time, the big brother one day scratched his head, sighed, and said, "You know what? I think after all, it's easier to say 'I love you!' " (Master laughs and all applaud.) The brother just said, "I told you." (Master and all laugh.) Okay, Good night. 'Green Pig!' (Laughter and applause.)

During my stay in Hsihu, I had the good fortune to attend an extremely beautiful party that Master gave. When She announced that She would give us a pleasant surprise, Her words brought to mind recollections of the beautiful nights that Master and disciples of various countries had spent together several years ago. The scenes and romantic atmosphere remained so vivid that they are unforgettable.

Following other disciples, I reached the garden in front of Master's residence. Flowers and trees were luxurious and well-placed. The surrounding hills were emerald green. The beautiful setting was just like the land of the immortals, and I felt so nice and completely free, physically and spiritually. With food and beverage, I sat at an angle on a white chair. Small lights of many colors flashed among the tree branches as though they were twinkling stars. I was having a deja vu. I had seen it somewhere before.

The next day at noon, as I was sitting on a chair by the Nectar River, surrounded by shady trees, as it happened, a sun beam penetrated through the leaves. This was another deja vu for me. Earnestly searching my mind, I suddenly recalled that ten years earlier, before I knew Master, I had dreamt of a beautiful garden on several successive nights. The scene of the garden in those dreams was exactly what I saw now by the side of the Nectar River and the previous night at the tea party in the hill-top garden. This was incredible!

Beloved Master, thank You very much for allowing me to come to the three-day retreat at Hsihu Center. Also, thanks to the brothers and sisters of the Center and to the other initiates for treating me so kindly during the retreat.

At first, I had no intention to go, but then suddenly, I felt that I really wanted to, as if some great forces were drawing me there. I felt that I should take this rare chance and go to the retreat along with my husband.

In the end, my husband could not go because of work-related matters, and I, unfortunately, arrived one day later than my fellow Japanese initiates. I arrived at Hsihu Center in the evening, right in the middle of Master's talk. The atmosphere in Hsihu Center at night gave me the feeling that deep in my heart I knew this place.

The next morning, we started meditating to the morning chorus of a multitude of birds gathered in the trees above our heads. It was an experience that I will never forget. It certainly made me feel that heaven was close-by.

Master appeared at noon in an orange colored dress, which really fitted in well with the summer sunshine. She looked very elegant. The next day, She appeared wearing a vivid green Thai dress, which enhanced Her wisdom and brilliance. Master said to us:
" When you go back, take better care of your family members than in the past. Be patient with them. It is all right even if they do not pursue spiritual cultivation..."
When I heard this, I was deeply moved by Master's great love and my eyes filled with tears.

When the three-day retreat ended we decided to stay one more night. We wanted to stay close to Master for as long as we could, even just a little longer. The soft moonlight enveloped me just like the warmth of Master's love, and I slept safe and sound.

On the departure day, the brother who drove us to the airport was playing Master's Buddha chanting tape in the van. I listened to it, just as if Master were singing right beside me. The idea came into my head that Master felt sorry that we were leaving, and suddenly my eyes filled with tears. I thought how we, Master's children, are always causing Her worry. It is said that the children do not know the parents' hearts. I deeply felt that a parent's heart is beyond measurement and cannot be known.

As I was leaving Hsihu Center, I realized that the atmosphere of the Center was one of awareness of all these things, and that love itself is something that comes from Master. Through outdoor meditation, we learned to become one with nature. We realized the value of a primitive existence is that it is a simple life. Hsihu Center is our spiritual fortress, and Master is my spiritual Mother.

I will never forget the taste of the fruit there which was infused with Her love. I will never forget Mother Master's Center.